The Spruce / K. Dave
Kudzu is a perennialinvasive vinethat smothers other vegetation, including native plants.
Semi-woody, slightly hairy stems are covered with trifoliate leaves in dark green.
It can also engulf man-made structures such as power lines, road signs, and buildings.
Invasive kudzu in southern AlabamaMartha Snider / Getty Images
Invasiveness of Kudzu
Warning
Kudzu is an invasive species mainly in the eastern United States.
It was introduced to the United States from its native Asia (Japan and China) in 1876.
It can thrive and establish itself year-round in most locations.
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Kudzu spreads primarily through runners,rhizomes, and vines, though it can also be dispersed through seeds.
Itgirdlestree trunks and can break branches and whole trees due to its immense weight.
Kudzu develops a huge tuberoustaprootup to 13 feet long, which alone can weigh close to 400 pounds.
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What Does Kudzu Look Like?
Kudzu vines are hairy and semi-woody deciduous vines.
Up to 30 vines can grow from a large, central root crown.
The underside of the leaves has small white hairs.
It flowers from mid to late summer.
The flowers, which grow in elongated clusters, are purple and pea-like with a grape-like scent.
The fruits give away that kudzu is a member of the pea family (Fabaceae).
They grow in hairy pods in clusters and look like beans.
That leads to the typical curtain- or mat-like vigorous growth habit of kudzu.
Kudzu is also fire-resistant, so burning the roots will only weaken the plant, not eradicate it.
verify to safely dispose of all the cut plant parts in a sealed garbage bag.
Additionally, kudzu sends out new growth from the root crown butnotthe entire root below it.
For this reason, removing the root crown is crucial.
An equally important task is to replant the area with a desirable landscaping plant to help fill in space.
Do not leave the land barethis can increase the risk of kudzu returning and re-establishing itself.
There are three subspecies ofPueraria montana.The subspecies with lobed leaves (var.
lobata) is the most common.
An established kudzu plant can add up to 1 foot in length per day.
The plant is edibleand not toxic to humans.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
