On Fri, 11 Mar 2005 10:07:37 +1100, Terry Collins
wrote:

len gardener wrote:

g'day leslie,

i've heard of a weed vine called the potatoe vine don't know if it
bears any relationship or resemblence to any sort of potato, just
wondering if what is mentioned here is something different?

Hope so.
Madeira Vine (Anredera cordifolia) is also called Potato Vine and it is
a major pest of urban bushland. Has the habit of growing profusely up
and over bushes, shrubs and small trees. Eventually the weight of the
fleshy leaves just pulls everything to the ground and the other plant
dies. Major pest to remove as you either max soil toxicity or spend year
after year grubbing out the roots, etc.

I think this is the OP's plant It is a major problem in Hawaii. Lots
of tubers to eat (aerial and in the ground) so long as you let it grow
large enough to wreck things as you so vividly describe. I am in my
fifth year of trying to get rid of it. Fortunately the heart shaped
leaves are readily seen when the vine pushes up to 50 cms or so. Must
catch them early before the aerial tubers grow, fall and contaminate
the ground all over again. Tubers sold as food in ethnic markets in
South America, according to Cornucopia II.