Traveler's delight
Apios priceana
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Pl. E10B — Apios priceana
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IOverview
Overview
Traveler's delight (Apios priceana) is a perennial vine native to the southeastern United States, found in Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This plant thrives in moist, light to partial shade environments with well-draining soil, making it adaptable but preferring sandy or medium-textured soils. Known for its edible root, which can be harvested after several years of growth, traveler's delight is both a culinary and ornamental addition to gardens. Its distinctive feature includes the large, heart-shaped leaves and showy white flowers that appear in late spring, creating an attractive landscape presence.
Quick answers
What is Traveler's delight?
Traveler's delight (Apios priceana) is a perennial vine native to the southeastern United States, found in Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This plant thrives in moist, light to partial shade environments with well-draining soil, making it adaptable but preferring sandy or medium-textured soils.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Traveler's delight thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy) or medium. It grows well in hardiness zones 6-9, making it suitable for temperate regions. This perennial can reach heights of up to 3 meters and produces edible roots. Ensure the plant has adequate moisture while avoiding waterlogged conditions. Skip mulching if natural moisture levels are sufficient. Propagate through division or seed.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
6-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
3.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Traveler's delight for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Traveler's delight in a sunny spot, and you'll have a rewarding experience as a beginner gardener.
- 1
What you'll need
Traveler's delight tubers, garden gloves, trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or early fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with moist, light soil. Amend heavy soils with sand for better drainage.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant tubers 30-45 cm apart in rows spaced about 60 cm. Plant at a depth of 10-15 cm.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist and mulch around the plants to retain moisture.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Fertilize once in early spring with compost.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune vines back after flowering to encourage new growth and prevent overcrowding.
- 8
Common mistakes
Planting too deep, not providing enough moisture, neglecting to prune, over-fertilizing, planting in heavy clay soil.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: The root of Traveler's delight (Apios priceana) is edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. Typically, the roots are dug from the ground and prepared by boiling or roasting to enhance their flavor. Skip
Other uses:Nitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
5 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
5 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 5 native
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · e10b7bff-fb00-40b9-825c-162dd5843beb
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