1. a climbing or trailing plant of the pea family, native to tropical regions, bearing edible tubers or pods
Usage: also called groundnut or earth pea in some regions; botanical name Apios americana or related species

Examples

• The earthpea grows wild in moist woodlands across North America.
• Earthpea tubers were an important food source for indigenous peoples.
• Gardeners cultivate earthpea for its nutritious underground pods.
• The earthpea plant produces small purple flowers in late summer.