Yet another ID request

[DAVEinMB]

In my continual quest for plant knowledge I present the following to the group. 

[Fusca]

Hi Dave,

I'm usually on the other end of these questions but I know this one!  Known as "air potato vine" (Dioscorea bulbifera).  I think it's considered invasive in Florida but shouldn't be such in your area.  I grew them in the Houston area years ago.

[Merlyn]

I'd agree.  It is an invasive weed here in FL.  I like the leaves, but it will take over entire treescapes around the central FL area.  They've started releasing small beetles that eat massive amounts of potato vine leaves.  In my yard it's not a major problem, but they do pop up every once in a while.  I yank them out and then hit them with Glyphosate if they regrow.

[DAVEinMB]

@Fusca @Merlyn Thanks for the quick ID! I wonder if this is worth introducing to my garden based on what you yous are saying. either way I really appreciate the help I receive here. Thanks again

[metalfan]

Looks like air potato.

The girl scouts organize a yearly drive to eradicate it here in FL

[Fusca]

39 minutes ago, DAVEinMB said:

@Fusca @Merlyn Thanks for the quick ID! I wonder if this is worth introducing to my garden based on what you yous are saying. either way I really appreciate the help I receive here. Thanks again

If you can grow it like the one in the photo you can easily remove unwanted "potatoes" .  As Todd mentioned the problem is when they run up a tall tree. Quite easy to start and I think you'll see some potatoes on that vine soon if not already.  You can get multiple vines growing out of a single potato.  I found one once the size of a large softball, but they're usually more like "new potato" size.

[metalfan]

LOL you don't lIve in FL WHERE A POTATO vine can climb a foot a day

[metalfan]

DO NOT under any circimatsnces encourage this invasive vine.....

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, metalfan said:

DO NOT under any circimatsnces encourage this invasive vine.....

^ Agree  100%+ w/ this..  And it's not just trees it climbs/ chokes, dropping those X--- " Potatoes " everywhere.. ( They're poisonous btw, though they contain a compound used to make synthetic Steroids ) Seen it take down a metal fence. This vine is another weed that doesn't need to become a menace anywhere else. Not all that attractive either, imho.

[metalfan]

Its like Kudzu. Except you cannot get goats to eat it. Florida is ground zero for invasives like this, there are so many plants that started out as ornamentals being sold in garden centers and nurseries that have turned into ecological nightmares here because the cold does not kill them on an annual basis. Chinese tallow tree, Ardisia crenata, Air Potato, Trumpet creeper, water lettuce, water hyacinth, Carolina jessamine, Wisteria.....the list is long and keeps getting longer.

[Silas_Sancona]

45 minutes ago, metalfan said:

Its like Kudzu. Except you cannot get goats to eat it. Florida is ground zero for invasives like this, there are so many plants that started out as ornamentals being sold in garden centers and nurseries that have turned into ecological nightmares here because the cold does not kill them on an annual basis. Chinese tallow tree, Ardisia crenata, Air Potato, Trumpet creeper, water lettuce, water hyacinth, Carolina jessamine, Wisteria.....the list is long and keeps getting longer.

You know a plant is garbage when even Goats won't touch it, lol 

..Agree, and several of them are now causing issues elsewhere ( Water Hyacinth / Lettuce, Brazilian Pepper in California.. Chinese Tallow / Trumpet Vine / Wisteria in other areas of the South ) 

Can't remember exactly where it was .. Somewhere in Alabama, i think.. but remember traveling through an area on one of my trips to FL. where Kudzu had taken over.. Remember everything being covered in it pretty vividly..

[DAVEinMB]

Alrighty well I'm glad I asked haha, thanks guys

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, DAVEinMB said:

Alrighty well I'm glad I asked haha, thanks guys

For a similar look, you might research which -if any- of the climbing Aristolochia ( Dutchman's Pipe )  would withstand your winter temps. and return from the roots.. Leaves on some look similar to air potato, ( no " high flying tubers to try and corral, or get knocked on the head by, lol ) and you get those weird flowers as a bonus. Some of the more tropical looking ones can be fast growers though.

[DAVEinMB]

2 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

For a similar look, you might research which -if any- of the climbing Aristolochia ( Dutchman's Pipe )  would withstand your winter temps. and return from the roots.. Leaves on some look similar to air potato, ( no " high flying tubers to try and corral, or get knocked on the head by, lol ) and you get those weird flowers as a bonus. Some of the more tropical looking ones can be fast growers though.

Awesome I'll check them out, thanks!