Chinese Yam
(INN) Rank 1
Dioscorea batatas*
The leaves look similar to morning glories, but the plant is in the Yam family. This plant is a nasty weed that chokes out native plants, it is causing serious problems in the Smoky Mountains. I photographed these plants at the University of Tennessee Arboretum. The plant reproduces by small brown, potato-like tubers on the vine.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Great Smoky Mountains NP