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The groundnut is probably the most famous edible wild plant in eastern North America. The species range is very broad, from Ontario and Quebec in the north to the Gulf of Mexico and from the prairies in the west to the Atlantic coast. The Amerindians throughout this area utilized Apios americana as a major food resource. In fact, it is still common to find these plants growing over old Amerindian village sites.
Groundnut (Apios americana) belongs to the bean or legume plant family (Leguminosae). It has a vinelike growth form that twines upon and through the shrubbery beneath the forest. Along the Connecticut River, it is often intermixed with poison ivy.
Groundnut's once-pinnately compound leaves have 5-7 leaflets.
The flowers occur in clusters and are brownish-red, the fruits are bean pods 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in length.
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