Groundnut
Apios americana
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Andrew C (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Apios
- Species:
- Apios americana
- USDA Symbol:
- APAM
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- maroon, brown, purple
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in riverbanks and wet meadows
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification improves germination rates. Seeds benefit from soaking in warm water for 24 hours before cold stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Wild harvested tubers are planted whole, but are subdivided into 1-2 tubers segments by cutting the cordlike root attaching the tubers to each other. Tuber segments are then placed in nursery trade quart sized pots that have been filled three-fourths full with a commercial potting soil. Tuber segments are placed in the filled pots on top of the potting mix and then covered with additional potting soil. Filled pots are gently hand compacted to ensure good tuber soil contact. Properly filled pots should have at least one inch of potting soil covering the tubers.
Establishment: Tubers are typically collected from wild populations during late dormancy (February-March). Care should be taken to avoid overharvesting of tubers from wild populations.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 10C. Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.