Apios americana

Apios americana also known as Groundnut or Hopniss is a herbaceous perennial climbing vine from the family Fabaceae. It produces delicious protein-rich edible tubers, attractive vines and scented pink flowers and has the added benefit of being able to fix nitrogen.Also known as Hopniss from the Lenape word ‘Hobbenis’ it is native to North America where it has long been a staple food for indigenous peoples. It has undergone some domestication and plant breeders have been working to improve it for many years. In the wild, groundnut grows along the banks of rivers and lakes, usually found using trees and shrubs for climbing support. It forms long rhizomes under ground with ‘chains’ of edible tubers resembling a bead necklace.