UF/IFAS Extension air potato round-up

Bring in air potato bulbils, which resemble potatoes hanging on the air potato vine, to UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County Office, 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. starting now through March 31.  Air potato is a non-native invasive vine that can smother landscapes and natural areas in a similar way as kudzu. In some conditions, the air potato vine can grow up to eight inches in one day. Air potato spreads through bulbils that resemble potatoes and grow on the air potato vines. The bulbils eventually drop to the ground and sprout new vines.  

The bulbils collected will be used by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to raise air potato beetles that feed exclusively on the air potato vine. The air potato beetles provide biological control of this invasive plant by feeding on the leaves of the plant to control the growth. FDACS distributes the beetles to property owners throughout Florida to control this invader.

For more information on air potato plants, visit plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/dioscorea-bulbifera. Request air potato beetles from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by filling out an online form.  

For more information contact Chris Verlinde at chrisv@santarosa.fl.gov or Mary Salinas at maryd@santarosa.fl.gov or call (850) 623-3868 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. wee