Groundnut

Apios americana, Groundnut or American hodo (scientific name: Apios americana) is a perennial vine native to North America, belonging to the family Fabaceae. The underground tubers are edible. It produces about 10 tubers. It is also called Apios, Hodo, Groundnut, Potato Bean, and Indian Potato. The underground potatoes (tubers) are harvested from November to March and cooked for food. The tubers are harvested from November to March and cooked for food. In North America, Native Americans used it for food. In North America, it was used as food by Native Americans, but it was naturalized in Aomori after being mixed into the soil of apple trees. In Japan, it is cultivated in Aomori Prefecture.

Common name: Apios americana, scientific name: Apios americana, Place of origin: North America, Plant height: 2-4 m, Vine length: 1-6 m, Leaf shape: pinnate compound leaf, Number of lobes: 5-7, Leaf length: 8-15 cm, Inflorescence: butterfly-shaped, Flower color (inner): pink, purple, reddish brown and reddish brown; flower color (outer): greenish white; inflorescence length: 7.5-13 cm; flowering season: June-August; fruit: elongated; capsule length: 5-13 cm; tuber diameter: 2-8 cm; part used: tuber (not root); harvesting season: November-March.