I am in Oklahoma City, OK, and noticed a vine in my backyard.

It thrives in damp conditions; I initially noticed it in a part of the yard where grass doesn't grow.

Shoots come straight up out of the lawn, but it has grown up trees and bushes. It isn't a spreading ground covering.

The initial sprout is red, but as the leaves grow they turn green.

It is spreading into the lush grass in my yard. I began pulling up the vines that were a few inches under the grown. They are rubbery, Tarzan-like, and criss-cross over each other. I started digging deeper and found purple colored roots 2 feet under the ground and up to 4 inches wide (what I've discovered to date!).

The deep underground roots are generally smooth, like piping and grow straight out similar to how a rope would lay on the ground. Please help! Landscapers have not been able to ID it.

Regards,
Homeowner in Oklahoma