\Po*ta"to\, n.; pl. {Potatoes}. [Sp. patata potato,
batata sweet potato, from the native American name (probably
batata) in Hayti.] (Bot.)
   (a) A plant ({Solanum tuberosum}) of the Nightshade
       family, and its esculent farinaceous tuber, of which
       there are numerous varieties used for food. It is
       native of South America, but a form of the species is
       found native as far north as New Mexico.
   (b) The sweet potato (see below).
{Potato beetle}, {Potato bug}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) A beetle ({Doryphora decemlineata}) which feeds, both
       in the larval and adult stages, upon the leaves of the
       potato, often doing great damage. Called also
       {Colorado potato beetle}, and {Doryphora}. See
       {Colorado beetle}.
   (b) The {Lema trilineata}, a smaller and more slender
       striped beetle which feeds upon the potato plant, bur
       does less injury than the preceding species.
{Potato fly} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
   blister beetles infesting the potato vine. The black
   species ({Lytta atrata}), the striped ({L. vittata}), and
   the gray ({L. cinerea, or Fabricii}) are the most common.
   See {Blister beetle}, under {Blister}.
{Potato rot}, a disease of the tubers of the potato, supposed
   to be caused by a kind of mold ({Peronospora infestans}),
   which is first seen upon the leaves and stems.
{Potato weevil} (Zo["o]l.), an American weevil ({Baridius
   trinotatus}) whose larva lives in and kills the stalks of
   potato vines, often causing serious damage to the crop.
{Potato whisky}, a strong, fiery liquor, having a hot, smoky
   taste, and rich in amyl alcohol (fusel oil); it is made
   from potatoes or potato starch.
{Potato worm} (Zo["o]l.), the large green larva of a sphinx,
   or hawk moth ({Macrosila quinquemaculata}); -- called also
   {tomato worm}. See Illust. under {Tomato}.
{Seaside potato} (Bot.), {Ipom[oe]a Pes-Capr[ae]}, a kind of
   morning-glory with rounded and emarginate or bilobed
   leaves. [West Indies]
{Sweet potato} (Bot.), a climbing plant ({Ipom[oe]a Balatas})
   allied to the morning-glory. Its farinaceous tubers have a
   sweetish taste, and are used, when cooked, for food. It is
   probably a native of Brazil, but is cultivated extensively
   in the warmer parts of every continent, and even as far
   north as New Jersey. The name potato was applied to this
   plant before it was to the {Solanum tuberosum}, and this
   is the ``potato'' of the Southern United States.
{Wild potato}. (Bot.)
   (a) A vine ({Ipom[oe]a pandurata}) having a pale purplish
       flower and an enormous root. It is common in sandy
       places in the United States.
   (b) A similar tropical American plant ({I. fastigiata})
       which it is thought may have been the original stock
       of the sweet potato.