Ground nut (Apios americana)
This is ground nut. It’s a plant I went looking for before I had ever found one because it has an edible root. That was back in the days when I would try to find what I had identified rather than trying to identify what I had found. I didn’t find this one when I was looking for it, but rather found it when I had decided to identify everything growing on my property.
The tubers were a staple among the Native Americans, and I did eat a few a couple of years after I found these. But I didn’t not eat a full serving because there were not very many here. I let them grow, and now they are far more abundant. I think I will dig some up next month.
Jomegat's Weblog 
August 17, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Very interesting, I am going to research this on the internet now that you have raised my interest.
August 17, 2013 at 9:33 pm
Here’s an article by Samuel Thayer, my favorite author on edible wild plants. http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/The_Forager/hopniss.htm
August 17, 2013 at 10:22 pm
I had never heard of it. It has a pretty blossom.
August 17, 2013 at 10:27 pm
I like the blossom too (which is why I waited for it to bloom before photographing it). It’s funny that a “brown” flower can be so pretty.
August 18, 2013 at 9:12 am
The flowers show clearly that it’s in the pea family. This is another one you don’t want in your garden, because it is almost impossible to get rid of once it becomes established.I haven’t seen it for years though. I’ve heard that the tubers are sweeter after a frost, much like a parsnip or carrot.
August 18, 2013 at 12:18 pm
There have been efforts to domesticate it as a garden plant. I am certainly not going to discourage its growth on my property, but then again, I do not have a garden.