A member of the pea family (Fabaceae or Leguminosae), Apios priceana is a twining, herbaceous, perennial vine that grows from a stout tuber (often to 18 cm or 7.2 in. in diameter). The stem is round in cross section, somewhat twisted, and slightly ridged. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound with 7 (5-9) leaflets, and 20-30 cm (8-12 in.) long. Leaflets are 4-10 cm (1.6-4 in.) long and half as wide, ovate, and obtuse or rounded at the base. Upper leaflet surface is smooth at maturity while the lower surface is pale, slightly hairy, and veiny. Leaves and leaflets of branches are smaller than those of the main stem. Racemes are 5-12 cm (2-6 in.) long, dense with flowers, and are usually in clusters of 2 or 3 in the leaf axils. The greenish-white to brownish-pink flowers are 1 cm (0.4 in.) long and tinged with magenta at the apex. The standard is bi-auriculate (with ear-shaped appendages) at the base with a fleshy, beak-like apex; wings are shorter and narrowly oblong, but rounded at the base; the keel is fleshy and curved upward. Pods are 12-15 cm (5-6 in.) long, 1 cm (0.4 in.) wide, and tapering at both ends. There are usually 4-10 seeds per pod. Seeds are 7-8 mm (0.3 in.) long and separated in the pod by a silvery-white endocarp.