Vines That Have a Large Root Like a Potato

Evergreens

• Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus) is an invasive evergreen plant native to Mexico with a spreading formation. This member of the Polygonaceae plant family is an ornamental plant used as a wall or fence cover. Developing from tuberous roots, coral vine has medium green leaves and clusters of pink blossoms during summer until fall. Cat claw ivy (Macfadyena unguis-cati) is an evergreen climbing vine that originates from Central America. This early summer blooming plant flourishes with brilliant yellow, funnel-shaped flowers. A member of the Bignoniaceae family, cat claw ivy grows to lengths of 25 feet.

Deciduous

• Hottentot bread (Fockea edulis) is a semi-deciduous vine native to South Africa. This member of the Asclepiadaceae plant family develops from tuberous roots that are 2 feet wide in diameter. Hottentot bread blooms with green sweetly scented flowers pollinated by fruit flies. Chinese yam or cinnamon vine (Dioscorea oppositifolia) is a perennial deciduous vine with a fast growth pattern and tuberous roots. This invasive plant grows to lengths of 15 feet when supported by other plants, like trees and shrubs. Chinese yam has narrow spiral vines that develop counter clockwise and summer-blooming small white flowers with a cinnamon aroma.

Annuals

• Tall morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) is a trailing annual vine with heart-shaped foliage and tuberous roots endemic to the eastern regions of the United States. This 6 1/2-foot-long plant blossoms July through September with trumpet-shaped purple flowers highlighted by white veins. Marine ivy (Cissus Antarctica) is an annual evergreen vine with a trailing configuration grown from tuberous roots. This semi-woody to woody plant grows up to 30 feet in length. Marine ivy is a drought-tolerant vine with small, inconspicuous flowers that blossom in spring.

Perennials

• Silver lace vine (Polygonum auberti) is a perennial vine formed from large tuberous roots that acts like an annual depending on the region. This member of the Polygonaceae family has thick, dark green, broad, ovate-shaped foliage. During late summer until fall, the silver lace vine blossoms with clusters of greenish-white flowers. Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) is a perennial trailing and climbing vine with large 200 to 300 pound tuberous roots. This rapidly evolving plant grows up to 1 foot a day, according to Duke University. A native to China and Japan, kudzu develops purple flowers that resemble wisteria blossoms.