Walking Yam

Written by Pookas Kreations

This is an odd plant, it grows both tubers, and fruit on a vine. The fruit is how it propagates and is the seed. It is a touchy plant to raise because if you wait too long to harvest it either the roots or the fruit will decide to go on a walkabout. The roots will dig themself out of the ground, wander to a new location, and bury themselves again to grow a new vine. 

Once they emerge, their roots take on tendril-like characteristics and they will slowly move towards more fertile ground preferably 20-100 feet away. These yams are high in calcium, vitamin C, iron, potassium, amino acids, even protein, and a little starch.  They are completely nutritious meals to themselves, only lacking fat, which can be found in other sources.

In most places, they grow in a trailing fashion like squash, but in the Skylands Continent they often climb as high as they can. Their vines root from the nodes wherever they find fertile soil. In this way, they spread voraciously like kudzu and air potatoes.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Walking yams are fast growing and have various ways to propagate itself.

Genetics and Reproduction

This plant came from the common sweet potato, but this new environment of the Skylands caused it to evolve to fit its environment better.

Growth Rate & Stages

Walking yam vines can grow up to 8 inches a day, many places consider it invasive if it wasn't so nutritious. You can eat every part of the plant.

Ecology and Habitats

Sunny mountains and hills.

Dietary Needs and Habits

It requires little water but needs fertile soil.

Biological Cycle

It can grow in all seasons, except in the winter.

Behaviour

Often animals that get tangled in the vines are suffocated by the fast-growing vines. It covers, and strangles other plants and animals which adds to the fertility beneath it.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The vines can be used for baskets, rope, rough cloth like guinea sacks; roots, and fruit for food, leaves and fruit for dye, etc.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They have a rudimentary intelligence, only being able to sense heat, light, water, vibration, and minerals that they attribute to fertile ground.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Sweet Potato

Scientific Name

Ipomoea batatas ambula

Geographic Distribution

• Skylands Continent