Kudzu
‘Pueraria lobata, Fabaceae’
The vine that ate the south
Kudzu is very hard to eradicate and is often called invasive, noxious, a nuisance plant.
Kudzu, originally imported in the late 1800s, is a woody vine whose extremely rapid and aggressive growth has made it a highly successful and widely disliked invasive species throughout much of the southern United States. A kudzu vine can grow as much sixty feet in one season and can starve even fully mature trees of light, water, and life sustaining nutrients.
Kudzu literally chokes the life out of other living woody plants and trees. Right now in the United States, kudzu covers more than 3 million acres across 21 southern states. Researchers state it blankets an area “nearly the size of Connecticut”
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Down our road Kudzu vines are growing up and over anything and everything in its path. It has taken over many trees, bushes, garden areas, barns, out buildings and telephone wires.
Kudzu is the focus of many current eradication efforts. And to think it was FIRST imported for shade and to help with water erosion in cotton fields. If you haven’t seen kudzu growing naturally it is a must-see. Before you purchase any plants or introduce any new species in your area, check and make sure it is not an invasive species.
Click here to see an Old recipe for Kudzu Blossom Jelly Recipe, be sure and check with your local extension office before attempting to make or ingest any jellies or jams with any natural plant or invasive species.
© 2007 oOdles of infOrmation
