Caudiciform / vine for id

[ralphrmartin]

Does anyone recognise these leaves? Every year I get a vine come up from these underground tubers, but I've never had any flowers, so I can't id it. I'm hoping someone else there will recognise the leaves and tell me what it is!

[Terry S.]

It's not the 1st April is it? This looks rather like sweet potato Ipomaea batatas.

[JaneO]

Dioscorea dumetorum possible suggestion?

[ralphrmartin]

Thanks Terry, the tubers are more the size of chestnuts than sweet potatoes, after many years, so unless I have been growing them all wrong, I don't think that's the answer, and no, it wasn't intended as a leg pull - it was an honest question...

I also believe that typically I. batatas has hastate leaves, rather than trifoliate leaves, with these more rounded ends.

[ralphrmartin]

Thanks Jane, but the leaves on Dioscorea dumetorum are pretty big - hand size or bigger, while these are perhaps 5-7cm across, even if they do look rather similar at first sight. Those of Dioscorea dumetorum also seem to have more transverse veins.

[KathyM]

Are the leaves hairy/fuzzy?

[FaeLLe]

Where is the caudex ralph

[ralphrmartin]

Are the leaves hairy/fuzzy?

Not noticeably, from memory (I'm on holiday this week).

[ralphrmartin]

Where is the caudex ralph

I guess it's more of a tuber. I'll dig one up to show you all when I get back.

[ralphrmartin]

OK, the vines have died off, and I have dug up the tubers. They are about 1/2" across (1.5 cm) for the biggest, roundish, but with a neck where they joined on the the previous year's tuber. See below.

And please dont tell me they are potatoes!