Ornamental sweet potato vines rarely produce flowers in most annual growing climates. The seeds are toxic to children. Symptoms of poisoning include visual and tactile hallucinations. Additional symptoms may include a flushed face, dilated pupils, diarrhea, vomiting, numb hands or feet, and sleepiness.
Can you eat the sweet potato from the ornamental?
The bottom line is that ornamental sweet potatoes are bred specifically for their foliage, whether it be bright purple or vivid green. They produce fleshy, tuberous roots like their edible counterparts, but the quality of the tubers is generally not suitable for eating.
Are sweet potato vines toxic to humans?
While the seeds may be toxic, the rest of the plant can be eaten by humans, horses and other pets. As with any other plant matter, eating too many leaves may cause vomiting in dogs and cats.
Can you eat ornamental sweet potato vine leaves?
While your ornamental sweet potato plants may be edible, this does not mean you should be eating them. Not the roots, at least. Again, we recommend leaving those alone to grow underground, and perhaps to divide into slips for rooting and planting out when you want to start new vines.
Can you eat ornamental sweet potato roots?
Like the edible varieties the ornamental sweet potato vine will produce tuberous roots. The purple tuberous roots are edible but gardeners who have tried them, say they're not tasty. Some gardeners try saving the tuberous roots overwinter much like dahlias.
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