One thing plants and animals have in common; they don’t like to be eaten.  Plants, in consequence, have synthesized a staggering number of toxins, emetics, thorns and brambles to discourage their ingestion.  Thus, what a delight to encounter an edible native perennial vine—groundnut.  Both the tubers and the seeds are edible but should be cooked first.  Some nasty enzymes need to be denatured by the heat.  

As you might expect, groundnut has been a significant part of the Native American diet over the centuries.  Likewise, it was an important component of the diet of the early European pioneers.  Inexplicably, however its popularity has declined as agribusiness has developed more profitable crops to drop into the commercial maw.  

American groundnut is known alternately as hopniss, Indian potato, hodoimo, America hodoimo, cinnamon vine, potato bean or vine potato.  It is hardy from Zone 4 through 9, so it will do well in southern and central Minnesota.  Indeed, American groundnut grows wild from Eastern Canada down south to Florida and west to Colorado.  American groundnut is the North American equivalent to the South American potato.  However, it is a perennial flowering vine that sends out numerous tubers.  Although the entire plant is edible, the tubers are prized, even today, by foragers.  They have a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.  They are cooked pretty much like potatoes.  About a 30-minute boil, peeled or unpeeled, usually does the trick.

Although rarely grown commercially in the United States, there is quite a bit of cultivation in northern Japan.  Apparently, it is similar to a native Japanese Apios yet more amenable to commercial production.  

Growing American groundnut is fairly straightforward.  You can plant tubers, similar to planting potatoes.  In the spring, place them about two inches below the surface and about two feet apart.  Water heavily.   In about two weeks you should see sprouting.  Provide support for the vigorously growing vine.  As American groundnut is a member of the pea family (Fabaceae), it will fix nitrogen and replenish the soil.  You should be patient, however. The initial crop of tubers is usually fairly scant and takes two years for the plant to firmly establish itself.  However, your patience will be amply rewarded that second year with a bumper crop of nutty sweet Apios americana!

Here’s a helpful reference for more information on cultivation: https://www.gardenmyths.com/how-to-grow-harvest-and-eat-american-groundnuts/

Photo Credits:  J. St. John, University of Missouri (1), https://ar.inspired pencil.com/pictures-2023/groundnut-plant (2)