Identifying plants online is a difficult task. I have no idea how one would do this before the internet. I have been trying to identify the vine I have been growing (with unusual success!) in the front yard (I killed them all in the backyard). I think I was FINALLY able to identify it today.
Previously I had thought they were some form of ivy. I don’t think that was even remotely close. I think what I have is a sweet potato vine. The leaves and the stems look identical. And the variants also match the variants that I have – the different shaped black leaves.
The above photo looks like a perfect match of both variants that I have. However, these vines are supposed to produce sweet potatoes (even the ornamental variety). I haven’t had them too terribly long (perhaps 4-5 months now) and I’ve not seen anything like a potato forming. Supposedly this is something that occurs in the fall though.
The articles I’ve found recommend it as a decorative ground covering or potted plant, which is precisely what it is used for here. I’ve been growing volumes of it in the front yard for a ground cover for plants I’ve grown in between the vine. It does in fact provide a wonderful ground cover from the 100+ Spring temperatures.
Another interesting note is that the leaves and vines (of the non-ornamental variety) are not only described as edible, but having health benefits. I had a hard time getting it to grow at first. I think I’ve now mastered the process. It is now growing at an impressive rate. I have to trim it back nearly daily.