We spotted something unusual in a friend’s garden, and discovering what it was really surprised us

Gardens often hold little mysteries—unexpected plants, odd shapes hidden beneath leaves, or curious objects peeking out of the soil. But during a recent visit to a friend’s home, we stumbled upon something so unusual that it stopped us mid-conversation. At first glance, it looked like a strange cluster of bulbs, part-plant and part-sculpture. We weren’t sure whether it was growing, decaying, or just placed there for decoration.

Naturally, curiosity took over. And what we discovered left us genuinely surprised.

A Strange Object Among the Flowers

Nestled between the marigolds and herbs sat a group of odd-looking, round structures—almost alien-like. Their surface was bumpy, and their color seemed to shift between soft green and pale yellow. We wondered:

Was it a plant?
Some type of fungus?
An insect nest?
A strange weed spreading underground?

We took a closer look—and that’s when things got interesting.

The Unexpected Identity Revealed

After asking our friend, we learned the odd little cluster was actually something delicious, useful, and surprisingly common in gourmet kitchens. What looked bizarre and mysterious turned out to be…

Air Potatoes (Dioscorea bulbifera)

—or simply “aerial tubers”—the above-ground bulbs produced by certain species of yam.

These unusual bulges form along the vines of an otherwise ordinary-looking plant, and depending on the variety, they can be edible or ornamental.

Why They Look So Strange

Air potatoes are fascinating because:

They grow above the ground rather than below.
They can vary in size—from a marble to a baseball.
They have a smooth or textured surface, making them look like something out of a sci-fi movie.
They appear unexpectedly on vines, sometimes overnight.

No wonder we didn’t recognize them at first!

But Are They Safe to Eat?

This is where the surprise deepens:

Some types of air potatoes are completely edible, used in traditional cooking in parts of Asia and Africa.
Others—especially wild varieties—can be toxic if not properly identified.

Our friend’s garden variety? Thankfully, the edible type grown intentionally for cooking.

He shared that he uses them just like regular potatoes:

roasted
boiled
sautéed
or added to stews

Their flavor is mild and earthy, with a creamy texture when cooked.

Why Gardeners Grow Them

Beyond the culinary surprise, air potatoes have several benefits:

✔ They grow quickly and vigorously

Great for creating natural shade or covering trellises.

✔ They’re low-maintenance

Once planted, they thrive with very little care.

✔ They produce abundantly

One vine can yield dozens of aerial tubers.

✔ They’re a conversation starter

As we proved—most people don’t recognize them at first glance!

A Garden Mystery Turned Delight

What began as a moment of confusion turned into a fun discovery, a lesson in nature’s creativity, and even a chance to sample something new in the kitchen. It’s a reminder that gardens aren’t just places for beauty—they’re full of surprises waiting to be uncovered.

Sometimes the most unusual things turn out to be the most fascinating.