Hopniss (Apios americana), also called Groundnut, is a perennial plant found throughout Eastern North America. It is known for its edible tubers which were widely cultivated by Native Americans for centuries. All other parts of the plant are also edible, including the flowers and the bean-like seeds.
These seeds are from a diploid population in central New Jersey– which is pretty close the northern end of the range for seed-producing hopniss. The northern portion of the species’ range is predominated by a triploid population, which doesn’t produce seeds and only reproduces clonally by spreading tubers. Reproducing by seed allows this diploid population to maintain greater genetic diversity, as each plant grown from seed is a genetically unique individual.
Soak seeds for 24 hours and plant in moist soil. Germination can take up to 30 days. Plants typically take 2 years to flower and at least 2 years to produce a substantial crop of tubers.
Sun: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Moisture: Wet to Average
Zones: 3-9