(Ornamental) Sweet Potato

Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.

eye-poe-MEE-ah bah-TAY-tas

Convolvulaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name comes from Greek for worm and bindweed (BA1). Batata(s) is an Amerindian word for potato (BA1).

Natural range: An ancient human-influenced cultivated “species” with the origins unclear

Recognition: Trailing vine with white sap. Leaves variable, often sharp-pointed and cordate at the base, frequently hastate (arrowhead-shaped), often yellow-green or purple

Landscape uses: An extremely fast-growing, aggressive ground-covering trailing vine available in novelty colors: chartreuse, nearly yellow, reddish, and deep purple. ‘Tricolor’ is pink, light green, and white. Useful for covering ground quickly or for hanging baskets. Susceptible to insect- and weather-damage and can eventually become unsightly. Recovers from pruning robustly.