Man-Of-The-Earth Vine is a native perennial here in Florida and found in the central and northern parts of the state. This vine has a deep, vertical root that grows to 6 feet in length and can weigh as much as 30 pounds, hence the common name "Man of the Earth". Another common name for this plant is "Wild Potato Vine", so named because of its tuberous, starchy root, which is said to be edible after cooking, with a purported taste (although bitter) similar to that of a sweet potato. The vine can attain heights to 15 feet and has variable, mostly heart-shaped leaves that are 4 to 6 inches long and are attached to a smooth or sparsely short-haired stem. Flowers are 2 to 6 inches wide and long, composed of 5 petals fused together, forming a funnel shape. The flowers are white with pink-purplish throat. The fruit is a round green capsule that turns brown at maturity and contains 4 dark brown to black seeds with long stiff hairs.

This vine is found growing in habitats of dry to moist soils, disturbed sites, open woodlands, forest margins, and along river banks.

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