Natural area weeds are plants that interfere with the functions of natural communities and displace native species. These weeds are often exotic plant species that have become naturalized and can spread without human cultivation. Natural area managers remove invasive plants to maintain the integrity of natural areas. Air potato is one such non-native, invasive plant. This vine can grow eight inches a day and produces large numbers of potato-like growths that sprout new plants.
Air potatoes are members of the yam family and native to Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Plants on this list may not be introduced, possessed, moved, or released without a permit. Air potato is an herbaceous vine that sprouts from underground or aerial tubers. Its stems can grow up to 70 feet in length. The stems are round or slightly angled in cross section and twine to the left counter-clockwise. The leaves are alternately arranged along the stem and attached with long stalks.
The leaves can grow at least eight inches long and are nearly as wide. Also, the leaves are heart-shaped and basally lobed, tapering quickly to a point at the end of the leaf. Aerial tubers bulbils form in leaf axils. In Florida, bulbil texture and color are variable. Some bulbils are warty while others are smooth, and their color can range from a light tan to dark brown. Although air potato rarely flowers in Florida, the plant can produce small, fragrant flowers that arise from the leaf axils and grow in loose clusters up to four inches long.
Male and female flowers are found on separate plants. No fruits or male flowers have ever been observed in Florida. Winged yam is another non-native invasive species, similar in appearance to air potato. Like the air potato, it forms aerial bulbils and underground tubers.
The bulbils can be the size of small marbles or as large as softballs. In Florida, bulbil texture and color are variable.
Some bulbils are warty while others are smooth, and color can range from a light tan to a dark coffee color. Because air potato rarely flowers in Florida, it is not known to reproduce sexually.
The plant uses aerial tubers to reproduce asexually. Bulbils grow along the vines and are found on plants during the fall and winter.
The bulbils drop from the vines in winter December to February and sprout in spring. Air potato can grow extremely quickly, roughly 8 inches per day. A single air potato vine may produce more than a thousand bulbils. Although air potato is a member of the yam family, uncultivated species—such as those found in Florida— are generally bitter and may even be poisonous.
Locating and removing bulbils is easiest during the winter months—when plants are dormant—because air potato and other vegetation are not as dense. Air potato vines growing up into trees or mixed in with desirable plants, should be cut or pulled by hand.
Remove as many bulbils as possible, as those left behind will produce new vines. Dispose of all parts of the air potato plant—including the bulbils—by methods that will prevent the vines from spreading to new areas. Burning is the best method, so dispose of plants with your household garbage, not your yard waste. Dioscorea bulbifera.
Miller, J. B, Chambliss, and N. Climbing Yams. In: A field guide for the identification of invasive plants in southern forests PDF Asheville, NC: U. Forest Service, p. Overholt, W. Hughes, C. Wallace, and E. Langeland, E. Morgan, J. Moll, and K. Skip to main content.
An official website of the United States government. Here's how you know. View all resources. Scientific Name:. Common Name:. Air potato, Air potato vine, air yam, bitter yam. Native To:. Asia and Africa Overholt et al. Date of U. Means of Introduction:.
Forms dense vines that smother native plants and trees Overholt et al. Air Potato Patrol. University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
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