SafePlants

American Hog Peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata)

The American Hog Peanut, also known as hog-peanut or ground bean, is a fascinating native vine with multiple edible parts. This plant offers potential for inclusion in edible forest gardens and provides valuable groundcover.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant produces seeds both above and below ground, and while some sources suggest edibility for humans, the effects on pets are not explicitly discussed.

Considerations for Children

• This plant produces seeds both above and below ground, and while some sources suggest edibility for humans, the effects on children are not explicitly discussed.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Amphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fernald
• Common Names: Hog-peanut, Ground bean, American hogpeanut, Southern hog peanut
• Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family) / Leguminosae
• Synonyms: Amphicarpa monoica, Amphicarpaea bracteata var. comosa, Falcata comosa

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to woodland, thickets, and moist slopes in eastern and central North America.
• Widely distributed in eastern North America.

Ecological Role

• Acts as a nitrogen-fixing groundcover.
• Can be aggressive and fast-expanding.

Morphological Characteristics

• Annual to perennial vine that can grow up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) long, with some sources reporting up to 60 inches.
• Twines about adjacent vegetation.
• Slender stems are light green to reddish. Tendrils are absent.
• Violet to white elongated pea-shaped flowers in clusters. Flowers can be purple to maroon.

Quirky Facts

• The American hog-peanut has two forms of flowers: one type occurs at the top of the plant, and the other underground.
• It produces edible beans both above and below ground. The underground beans are described as fleshy, buried seeds.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The plant twines about adjacent vegetation.