Hodo (Apios fortunei)

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Edibility: Choice Edible (5/5)

Apios fortunei is a PERENNIAL. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

delicious flavour somewhat like sweet potatoes when roasted. — Tuber - raw or cooked.; It has a delicious flavour somewhat like sweet potatoes when roasted.; The tuber can also be dried and ground into a powder.; The tuber contains about 4.2% protein, 0.2% fat, 18.3% starch, 6% other carbohydrate, 1.3% ash.

Habitat & North American Range

Woods and thickets, 600 - 1000 metres in W. China. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)