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History and Description
The air yam or air
potato, a member of the yam family, is an herbaceous vine that comes from
underground tubers. It was originally from Asia. It was introduced into America
from Africa during the slave trades.
Use
The air yam was used for ornamental
purposes. It was also introduced as a food plant. The air yam must be
cultivated in
order to use it as food, though. Uncultivated air yams can be poisonous.
Reproduction
The air yam hardly ever
produces flowers. It reproduces by its aerial tubers. The tubers grow along
the vine. Tubers can be found on the air yam in fall and winter. They
eventually
fall off and will sprout in the spring. Tubers are known to float long distances, aiding in dispersal.
Ecological
Threat
The air yam invades pinelands and hammocks. It grows quickly to
the tops of tree canopies. It weighs them down and reduces the sunlight of the
other native plants so it can’t do photosynthesis to make food. Once it invades
an area, it is very difficult to control it because of it numerous tuber.
The air yam is
aggressive, dangerous, and it lets nothing get through it.
Control
The vines of the air yam should be cut and destroyed. Then, any
tubers or bulbs remaining should be removed to prevent spring sprouting. The
removed plant parts should be burned to prevent further spreading.
Herbicides can also be
applied to control the air yam. It should be applied in spring or summer.
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