Apios americana (Groundnut)
| Also known as: | American Potato-bean, Indian Potato |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Apios |
| Family: | Fabaceae (Pea) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; moist woods and thickets, along shores |
| Bloom season: | July - September |
| Plant height: | 3 to 10 foot vine |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FAC MW: FACW NCNE: FACW |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pink/groundnut-0812_130651.jpg)
Flowers are irregular with a large upper lip that is divided into 2 “wings”, a lower lip with 2 small lobes and a curved gland protruding from the center. The outside of the upper lip is a dull light pink to brown and the lower lobes are dark red, purplish maroon to brown. A string of 5 to 10 flowers arises from the leaf axils and may be in a round cluster, or more spread out spike-like.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pink/groundnut-100_2641.jpg)
Leaves are compound in groups of 5 or 7; leaflets are up to 2½ inches long and 1 inch wide with a wide rounded base and pointed tip, on short stems. This is a vine that lacks tendrils, so the stem entwines around other plants to support itself.
Notes:
The tubers produced by Groundnut are edible and are more nutritious than potatoes. The seeds are also edible.
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More photos
Groundnut vine
Groundnut vine
edible tubersPhotos by K. Chayka taken in Anoka and Ramsey counties. Other photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2010-08-14 23:11:51
This vine is found along the shore of Medicine Lake at the West Medicine Lake beach
on: 2012-01-15 15:50:04
Found in woodland area not far from the Pike River.
on: 2012-08-21 08:03:24
Spotted near the Sibley House along the river in Mendota.
on: 2013-09-05 14:08:17
I checked Charlene's spot today and found my first ones. I found them along the trail to the south of the bridge in Mendota.
on: 2014-08-23 15:39:43
Found it today, growing up near the shoreline of Lake of the Woods.
on: 2014-08-25 16:46:26
I found quite a few vines growing along our shoreline on Wilson Bay of Gull Lake. I did not see any of it last year and asked other homeowners on the peninsula if they were familiar with it. They were not. I love the way it looks so am very happy it is not an invasive species.
on: 2014-12-17 13:43:24
Large population along Le Sueur River. Very tasty.
on: 2015-08-21 20:21:12
It's along parts of the trail by the powerline area
on: 2015-08-24 21:02:40
This vine is taking over parts of my prairie meadow. It started a couple of years ago and seemed to explode this year. It winds itself tightly around the stems of plants and creates a dense mat of leaves over them. It is almost impossible to pull out because of the tuber. I know it's native, but it's dominating my prairie, so I'm looking for ways to eliminate it - will try mowing the area.
on: 2015-08-29 18:54:44
Found it growing on the edge of the woods along the shore of Lake Vadnais. Such a unique and beautiful flower!
on: 2016-06-07 15:20:44
A few years ago I had purchased a truckload of soil from a local garden center. The soil must have contained some tubers because it is now taking over my flower garden. It didn't exist before adding the soil to the garden. I can't get rid it it and it is choking out my other plants.
on: 2016-10-05 19:42:37
Found a large area of these in one spot in Uncas back in late August. Neat area.
on: 2017-03-31 19:21:45
Found a 'nut' on a trail that beavers were frequenting near river. Perhaps they dug it up.
on: 2018-08-30 14:59:29
Along the shoreline of the NW corner of Cedar Lake - just S of 210 - West of Aitkin
on: 2018-09-04 21:08:40
Found amoung the shoreline vegetation at our CIC, 10 miles north of Bemidji.
on: 2019-08-11 10:20:16
I found this potatoe bean growing in my wisteria vine. It is very pretty. If anyone has any information on it , i would apreciate it. I didnt think this vine was from here.
on: 2019-08-25 10:23:17
It is growing along the bike path at Baldwin Park in Circle Pines, Mn.
on: 2021-07-06 14:36:48
I had a couple white pines with yellow needles on lower branches so did soil test and found it was nitrogen deficient. Read that groundnuts can fix nitrogen and I hink it would be cool if this site mentioned if plants were nitrogen fixers, or had a list of all the MN plants that do.
on: 2021-07-06 14:48:08
Cole, most (all?) members of the pea family are nitrogen fixers.
on: 2021-08-24 10:42:02
Noticed a few vines along trail - not far from where trail goes under Hwy 55 (Mendota) Bridge.
on: 2022-07-24 15:19:39
Does anyone know where I could obtain one of these, either purchasing or without disturbing its natural habitat?
on: 2022-07-24 18:41:19
Kelly, I don't know whether any of the MN native plant nurseries sells this, but you might collect some seed and try growing it yourself. It's pretty common in metro area parks, especially near water. There won't likely be any seed until fall.
on: 2022-08-31 09:54:39
This vine started appearing along the shore facing southwest a few years ago. I'm glad to see it's native.
on: 2022-09-04 09:38:35
Noticed this growing on the shore, Pillsbury State forest and also one flower on my own shore a few years ago. Im pleased it has spread and look for to seeing at the end of summer. Nice it has a nut for wildlife.