Wild Potato Vine (Ipomoea pandurata)

Wild potato vine is a vigorous native climber, also known as "man-of-the-earth," featuring large, heart shaped leaves and striking white funnel shaped flowers with deep ruby purple centers. The blossoms open in the morning during mid to late summer, providing a high contrast display against the lush green foliage. This vine is famous for its massive, edible, starchy underground tuber which can weigh over 20 pounds in older plants, allowing it to survive harsh conditions and thrive in dry, open woods, roadsides, and rocky slopes. In the garden, wild potato vine is best utilized along sunny fencelines or sturdy trellises where its vigorous trailing stems can climb vertically to showcase the large, ruby-throated flowers at eye level.