Sweet potato is only distantly related to the common potato (Solanum tuberosum), both being in the order Solanales. Although darker sweet potatoes are often referred to as "yams" in parts of North America, the species is not a true yam, which are monocots in the order Dioscoreales. (L.)
What vegetables are related to sweet potatoes?
Other high-starch vegetables similar to sweet potatoes include yams, cassava, pumpkin, and winter squashes (e.g., butternut).
Are sweet potatoes and regular potatoes related?
Fact: Even though both the potato and sweet potato originated from Central and South America, they are actually not related. They come from different families, with the potato coming from the nightshade and the sweet potato from the morning glory family. Myth: Sweet potatoes are yams.
Are sweet potatoes and yams closely related?
It's true: yams and sweet potatoes are totally different plants and are not even closely related. In fact, these tasty starchy veggies are actually in two different plant families entirely! Yams are members of the genus Dioscorea and are in their own special family, Dioscoreaceae.
Are sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes related?
Home gardeners who know nothing about horticulture are often amazed to discover that everyday potatoes and sweet potatoes not only taste different, but come from different families – even though they have a common “surname” (potato).
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