Propagation: Ornamental Sweet Potato Vines, 1 by scooterbug

scooterbug wrote:
This is all I have so far on the Cinnamon vines.....

Cinnamon Vine (Dioscorea batata)
Technically Dioscorea batata, also known as Chinese Yam. Very decorative, glossy heart-shaped leaves on a twining stem will climb anything within reach and grow 12' or so given some support. The tiny white flowers release a strong scent of cinnamon as they dry out and turn brown.

Underground, after the second year, a large edible tuber forms. However, it is quite deep, and hard (impossible?) to dig out.


More usefully, after the flowers drop off, little aerial tubers (also edible, and much easier to harvest!) form at the leaf bases. They are planted just like a seed and will soon produce a new plant. Good in the greenhouse or conservatory, or outdoors.

Very hardy; dies back in the winter, but resprouts the following spring.



This message was edited Mar 1, 2004 12:55 PM