Air Potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)

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English

Air potato is an invasive plant species in Florida that should be removed from public and private properties to help protect the state's natural areas. It can quickly engulf native vegetation in natural areas, climbing high into mature tree canopies. It produces large numbers of bulbils (aerial tubers), which facilitate its spread and make it extremely difficult to eliminate because new plants sprout from even very small bulbils. It invades a variety of habitats including pinelands and hammocks of natural areas.

Publications

Invasive Plants in Natural Areas: Air Potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)

Stephen F. Enloe and Ken Langeland

This publication discusses impacts, distribution, identification, and control of air potato. Written by Stephen F. Enloe and Ken Langeland, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised December 2021.

thumbnail for publication: Air Potato Leaf Beetle (Suggested Common Name), Lilioceris cheni Gressitt and Kimoto (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae)

Air Potato Leaf Beetle (Suggested Common Name), Lilioceris cheni Gressitt and Kimoto (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae)

Ted D. Center and William A. Overholt

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Lilioceris egena (Weise) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae)—Biological Control Agent of Air Potato Vine

F. Allen Dray Jr., Octavio Menocal, Rosemary Murray, Eric Rohrig, and Carey Minteer

This publication provides an in-depth profile of the air potato bulbil beetle (suggested common name), a new biological control agent of the air potato vine. It is intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.