Re: Potato Vine (?)
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Potato Vine (?)
- From: D* S*
- Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 17:24:08 -0700
- References: <5bdfb35d.25226a95@aol.com>
Kemberly & Jean,
Could this be a variety of Dioscorea? The leaf looks similar to one (tropical
variety) I keep in the greenhouse. I had the Hortus III handy and read that some
produce tubers on the vine. There is D. batatas also known as Chinese yam or
cinnamon vine, climber, hardy to zone 5, leaf 'opposite, ovate broadened into 2
lobes a the base'. The other is D. bulbifera also known as air potato, leaf
'ovate, cordate, to 6 inches wide vines to 3 feet long'. Tender.
I've located a picture of D. bulbifera at :
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/imaxxdsc.htm
Mclainakag@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 9/28/99 1:49:28 PM Central Daylight Time,
> backhoe@scan.missouri.org writes:
>
> << t is similar in leaf shape to the sweet potato vine, hers doesn't bloom, at
> least I've never seen it bloom, but has little seedlets (is this a new word)
> similar in shape to potatoes and about the same light brown color. Hers
> vines everywhere. >>
>
> Jean-
>
> This is what the "potato vine" I pictured does - it has these little
> "bulbils" that turn into potatoes.....I usually collect the potatoes I can
> find in order to keep control of the vine....seems to have worked so far.
> BTW - the squirrels love the potatoes!!!!! But even a 1/2 eaten potatoe will
> make a vine. This vine does very nicely in the shadiest of spots.....great
> for hiding things :o)
>
> Happy Gardening
>
> Kemberly McLain
> Katy, Texas Zone 9
>
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