you say potato

•













This odd little plant, known as “varahi” in Sanskrit, is a vine with heart-shaped leaves. Native to Asia and Africa, it has become widespread throughout southeastern North America.

Scientifically known as Dioscorea bulbifera; it’s a member of the yam family most noted for the bulbils that form in the leaf axils along the twining vine. The plant uses these organs to store carbohydrates, i.e. plant sugars.

Here’s where it gets curious. The bulbils look like very small Irish potatoes, which leads to the plant’s most common name in this country: air potato.

I said it was an odd little plant. Bulbils? That’s a another good Scrabble word.

-Photo taken near Baskins Creek in Gatlinburg.

•