COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Collier County is asking residents to keep an eye out for the invasive air potato plant. The plant can suffocate trees and darken the forest floor, causing harm to low-lying plants and wildlife. 

“It’s a climbing herbaceous vine that’s really aggressive. They can pretty much grow about 50 feet or more in a season. It’s a category 1 invasive plant species,” said Eric Foht, the Natural Resource Director for the Naples Botanical Gardens. 

The vine can be identified by its arrow-shaped leaves and potato-like bulbs that grow along its’ stem. The bulbs are not potatoes but a type of toxic yam. 

“It’ll climb on anything it can get on top of. This is a terrestrial plant. Anywhere there’s some seedable land and sunlight, which is pretty much anywhere .. it can climb up,” added Foht.  

The Naples Botanical Gardens recommends removing the plant by simply digging out the entire root structure and disposing of the plant. When removed, staff says to check for excess bulbs, as that is how the plant regrows. 

“That’s how small the potato can be right there (a dime). It fell to the ground, has rooted, and made a new plant. You can see why it’s a problem as an invasive plant,” said Foht.