Status: Endangered

Description: Price's potato bean is a twining perennial vine in the legume family. Each vine leaf is about 8 to 12 inches with seven leaflets. Leaves are alternately arranged on the stem. The plant's large underground tuber distinguishes it from other Apios species and was gathered as a food source by Indians and pioneers. The pink flowers form a large fragrant bloom that grows from the leaf bases, and the fruit is a long slender pod which can be as long as 8 inches.

Range: The range of Price's potato bean is Alabama and Mississippi to Kentucky.

Habitat: Price's potato bean occurs in mesic (moderately moist) forests, often next to streams, and is usually associated with openings in the forest canopy. Small remnant populations in Kentucky persist on roadsides and powerlines, where light levels are high.

Life History: The large legume flowers of Price's potato bean open in August and are known to be pollinated by honey bees, bumble bees, and long-tailed skippers. Multiple vines can emerge from the large tuber but recruitment of new individuals is by seed establishment.

Causes for Decline: The rarity of Price's potato bean is primarily due to habitat destruction, but other impacts such as disease, predation, and historical tuber collection have also contributed. Although the vines can recover from some impacts and may even benefit from some canopy disturbance, intensive land use such as tree canopy removal and soil bedding may eliminate the plants. Several populations have been protected by management of mowing and herbicide spraying along roadsides. Other management strategies for the protection of Price's potato bean, particularly those in forest habitats, will be pursued to insure the future of this beautiful vine.

Information, photo, and range map from: Slone, T. and T. Wethington (eds.). 1998. Kentucky's Threatened and Endangered Species. Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Resources, Frankfort, KY. Photo courtesy of KSNPC staff.

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