A different survey found twenty-five different species of insect feeding on the kudzu. Kudzu is also known as foot-a-night vine, Japanese arrowroot, Ko-hemp, and “the vine that ate the South.” The vine, a legume, is a member of the bean family. "Kudzu Root: An Ancient Chinese Source of Modern Antidipsotrophic Agents. 2014-70006-22485. [5], Kudzu's primary method of reproduction is asexual vegetative spread (cloning) which is aided by the ability to root wherever a stem is exposed to soil. It can survive through harsh hot temperatures and dry seasons. Entomology and Plant Pathology. Disease development is very high at around 30 °C to 40 °C, which matches field conditions. Vines. [11], Kudzu also has potential as a source for biofuel. The leaves are alternate and compound, with three broad, hairy leaflets up to 4 inches across. Our species profiles include selected highly relevant resources for the species (organized by source), and access to all species related resources included on our site. Kudzu has also expanded into non‐analog climates in the invasive range that are not found in the native range, including parts of south‐central (western Texas, northern Louisiana, Arkansas) and western (Washington, Oregon, California) United States (Fig. [7] By 1946, it was estimated that 1,200,000 hectares (3,000,000 acres) of kudzu had been planted. Indiana Department of Natural Resources. [5][7] The roots are tuberous and are high in starch and water content, and the twining of the plant allows for less carbon concentration in the construction of woody stems and greater concentration in roots, which aids root growth. YouTube; United States Department of Agriculture. ", Frye, Matthew J., Judith Hough-Goldstein, and Jiang-Hua Sun. Roots are fleshy with taproot up to 12 feet deep . Integrated Taxonomic Information System. United States Kudzu Range Map. Its introduction has produced devastating environmental consequences. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar. While the vine spreads, the pest range will spread, and the pest will navigate itself into economically important crops. Kudzu growing near the Mississippi river in Baton Rouge. Once established, kudzu grows at a rate of one foot per day with mature vines as long as 100 feet. Its ability to reproduce and spread quickly allows it to quickly cover shrubs, trees, and forests, where it blocks the sun's rays from the plants below it, decreasing or completely eliminating their photosynthetic productivity. Hickman, Jonathan E., Shiliang Wu, Loretta J. Mickey, and Manuel T. Lerdau. [7] Kudzu is also a "structural parasite", meaning that, rather than supporting itself, it grows on top of other plants and buildings to reach light. [7], Currently, grazing by goats and pigs is the best method for control of the vine. 46, no 5, September, 2015, p. 19. [7][14] In Korea, kudzu root is harvested for its starch, which is used in various foods including naengmyon, as well as a health food and herbal medicine. Grows up to one foot per day. SUNUP TV. North Carolina State University. [7] Seed predation is quite prevalent, with up to 81% of seeds incurring damage in populations studied in North Carolina. Pennsylvania State University. [11], In the United States, kudzu has been used as livestock feed, in fertilizer, and in erosion control, and the vines have been used for folk art. Provides kudzu resources from sources with an interest in the prevention, control, or eradication of invasive species. Kudzu Pueraria montana : Description: Kudzu is a fast-growing, climbing, semi-woody perennial vine in the pea family. Happy weeding! In McNeely, J. Forest Service. This has earned it the nickname "the vine that ate the South". They reduce the environment to impoverished "vine barrens". University of Georgia. The most prominent effect of this method of control is the increase in potassium. Some common herbicides used are picloram and triclopyr; the most effective are picloram and tebuthiuron. Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. In Vicksburg, kudzu has invaded 190 of the 2,000 total acres of the park and threatens to diminish the historical value of the park. [7][11] It has been recorded in Nova Scotia, Canada, in Columbus, Ohio, and in all five boroughs of New York City. [8], A different and less time-consuming option for the control of kudzu is treatment with herbicides. In 1970 kudzu was listed as a common weed, and in 1998 it was listed as a Fed-eral Noxious Weed. [5] However, chemical treatments are expensive, and killing off the plant completely requires large amounts of herbicides (40-80 gallons per acre). Kudzu is an invasive plant that was introduced in the United States for erosion control, but the environmental Kudzu vines, Pueraria montana, covering trees and a hillside in North Carolina. ANR-65. Once rooted, most stems lose connection with each other within one year, allowing each stem to become a physiologically independent individual, and requiring that all stems be treated or removed in order to eliminate a population. Pueraria montana var. Kudzu Infestation in the United States. [11] Kudzu is also used as a food crop in Java, Sumatra, and Malaya, and can be found in Puerto Rico and South America. Pueraria montana var. Vines are woody or herbaceous twining or climbing plants with relatively long stems. It has been spreading rapidly in the southern U.S., "easily outpacing the use of herbicide spraying and mowing, as well increasing the costs of these controls by $6 million annually". Maryland Department of Natural Resources. & Jose, S. "Woody Invaders and the Challenges They Pose to Forest Ecosystems in the Eastern United States" Journal of Forestry, Vol. Kudzu grows best where winters are mild, summer temperatures are above 80°F and annual rainfall is 40 inches or more. [4], Kudzu is a perennial vine native to Asia, primarily subtropical and temperate regions of China, Japan, and Korea,[5][6] with trifoliate leaves composed of three leaflets. Kudzu is drought tolerant and only the above ground portions of the plant are damaged by frost. "Landscaping to Conserve Energy", Keung, W.M. This review assesses the potential use of kudzu (Pueraria montana var. kudzu This plant can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in different places, and some are listed above. As with most aggressive exotic species, eradication requires persistence in monitoring and thoroughness in treating patches during a multi-year program. The Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) has a disjunct distribution in Europe and the island of Ireland. [18], There are several methods for controlling kudzu growth that are used in the Southeastern United States. The kudzu plant (Pueraria lobata) has a disjunct distribution in the southern islands of Japan and the southeast Asian mainland, as well as the United States. It has been spreading rapidly in the southern U.S., "easily outpacing the use of herbicide spraying and mowing, as well increasing the costs of these controls by $6 million annually". [6], Once established in a habitat, kudzu is able to grow very quickly. By the early 20th century, southerners began to use kudzu for purposes other than ornamentation and so kudzu began to come closer in contact with the land which, in turn, encouraged its spread throughout the southeast. [21] Another way to control kudzu is goats and sheep. [7] When boll weevil infestations and the failure of cotton crops caused farmers to abandon their farms, kudzu plantings were left unattended. Kudzu and other invasive weeds pose a significant threat to the biodiversity in the southeast. Harrington, Timothy B., Laura T. Rader-Dixon, and John W. Taylor. YouTube; Oklahoma State University. Kudzu is a climbing vine native to Japan. Now, kudzu is most commonly found in the U.S. south, but its range stretches north towards New York and west towards Texas. Ecological Threat [8] Herbicides are found to be most effective when they are used during the typical growing season, June–October, and when used for successive years. IFAS. [21] Kudzu is also able to allocate large portions of carbon to root growth, allowing it to acquire sufficient nutrients for rapid growth and to spread clonally. It was first introduced to North America in 1876 in the Japanese pavilion at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. [7] Other pathogens have been tested as potential biological control agents, but have proven to be ineffective. The kudzu bug is able to survive anywhere that the kudzu vine is present – and has the potential to spread into areas where the vine spreads to. Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program (Canada). Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Galveston Bay Estuary Program; Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC). [19] This claim, however, was disputed in 2015 with the United States Forest Service estimating an increase of 2,500 acres (1,000 ha) per year. (180 kg). [11], Other uses may include: paper products, food products, insect repellents (the smoke from burning leaves), honey, and methane production. [11], The kudzu plant was introduced to the United States from Japan in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Kudzu also forms symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonium which can be used by surrounding plants. Australian Government. (18 cm) in width and grow to 9 ft. (3.8 m) deep. National Genetic Resources Program. Google. Our species profiles include selected highly relevant resources for the species (organized by source), and access to all species related resources included on our site. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. The kudzu. Kudzu is believed to have originated in Japan, where the ecosystem (primarily the tendency of kudzu to experience above-ground die back over winter) kept the vine from becoming a nuisance,[14] and it is thought to have been introduced to China[11] and likely Korea. However, by 1953, the kudzu invasion was on the move and the USDA took kudzu off of the list of recommended cover plants. [18] The fast growth and high competitive ability is achieved through several key features of kudzu that are detailed below. Miller, D.M. Going Native: Urban Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants. [7] When evaluations of potential control agents are made, the range of the control agents must be taken into account. [7] In addition, it takes about $5,000 per hectare (2.5 acres) per year to control kudzu. Kudzu is an invasive plant species in the United States. However, one major drawback of this biological control agent is that it is highly toxic to mammals, so extreme care would have to be taken in handling this organism. Provides kudzu resources from sources with an interest in the prevention, control, or eradication of invasive species. Jr., I.N. The https:// means all transmitted data is encrypted — in other words, any information or browsing history that you provide is transmitted securely. The Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Library says this about kudzu: ————— Scientific name: Pueraria montana; a subdivision of Phaseoleae, the group that includes peas and beans. [21], Most mechanical means of kudzu removal practiced in the southeastern United States involve mowing the vine or cutting it back. [7][11] The leaves have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, which can supply up to 95% of leaf nitrogen to the plant in poor soils. [5][7][12] In addition, the nodes of the kudzu vine have the ability to root when exposed to soil, further anchoring the vine to the ground. Maps can be downloaded and shared. In Honomanu valley, at sea level, kudzu can be seen below the road, climbing the valley walls. By 1997, the vine was placed on the "Federal Noxious Weed List". and Vallee, B.L. Friday, 6th June 2014 by Kyle Kusch. lobata is a climbing, deciduous vine capable of reaching lengths of over 100 ft. (30.5 m) in a single season. [11] In Korea, kudzu grows in areas where the temperature can drop to −22 °F (−30 °C). The maximum length the vine can reach is 30 m (98 feet). Primary kudzu roots can weigh over 180 kg, grow to 18 cm in diameter, and penetrate soil at a rate of 3 cm in depth per day. Factors Contributing to Species Range Several factors determine species range. Pennsylvania Sea Grant. True. [16] The Soil Erosion Service recommended the use of kudzu to help control erosion of slopes which led to the government-aided distribution of 85 million seedlings and government-funded plantings of kudzu which paid $19.75 per hectare. A. Webster, C.R. Unfortunately it is because of climate change that kudzu has become as bad as it has in the southern US. ; Jenkins, M. A. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Kudzu. In the southern part of the United States, kudzu is known as "the vine that ate the South" and efforts are made to eradicate it. GRIN-Global. ", Adams, Nicole E., et al. Kudzu (Pueraria montana) is a semi-woody, trailing or climbing, perennial invasive vine native to China, Japan, and the Indian subcontinent. [15], Of the diseases that have been identified as potential biological control agents, the fungal pathogen Myrothecium verrucaria has been shown to be very promising. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The most extensive infestations have been found in the southern United States, including Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, earning kudzu the nickname “the vine that ate the south.” Species native to the U.S. are included when they are invasive in areas well outside their … [5][7] Today, kudzu is estimated to cover 3,000,000 hectares (7,400,000 acres) of land in the southeastern United States, mostly in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Mississippi. "Herbicide Tests for Kudzu Eradication. ARS. lobata. In 1953 the United States Department of Agriculture removed kudzu from a list of suggested cover plants and listed it as a weed in 1970. Estimates of the vine's spread vary, from the United States Forest Service's 2015 estimate of 2,500 acres (1,000 ha - 10 km²) per year to the Dep… All land owners in an infestation area must coopera… Nothing seems to stop it. Kudzu grows out of control quickly, spreading through runners (stems that root at the tip when in contact with moist soil), rhizomes and by vines that root at the nodes to form new plants. It cannot be over emphasized that total eradication of kudzu is necessary to prevent re-growth. [7], In addition to its abilities to obtain nutrients and spread quickly, kudzu leaves have paraheliotropic movements, meaning that they move in response to the movement of the sun in order to maximize photosynthetic productivity. [14] The efficacy of the treatment of alcohol-related problems is currently under question, but experiments show promising results. In kudzu’s native countries, it has continued to have beneficial uses beyond being an adequate form of soil erosion control. and Innis, Anne F."Kudzu (, Black, R.J. and Meerow, A.W. Center for Environmental Research and Conservation. [7], Although kudzu prefers forest regrowth and edge habitats with high sun exposure, the plant can survive in full sun or partial shade. Forest Service. Outside its native range, kudzu has been widely introduced to the eastern United States and is found from New York to Florida, and as far west as Texas. This site is also protected by an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate that’s been signed by the U.S. government. [11] The starch is used in Japanese cuisine, and is widely consumed as such in that country. Potential control agents have to be rejected if they are shown in laboratory and field tests to feed on these non-target plants. [citation needed], Bill Finch, "Legend of the Green Monster," Smithsonian Magazine, vol. [9][10] Each leaflet is large and ovate with two to three lobes each and hair on the underside. [7][8] Five species in the genus Pueraria (P. montana, P. lobata, P. edulis, P. phaseoloides and P. thomsoni) are closely related and kudzu populations in the United States seem to have ancestry from more than one of the species. [2] Estimates of the vine's spread vary, from the United States Forest Service's 2015 estimate of 2,500 acres (1,000 ha - 10 km²) per year[3] to the Department of Agriculture's estimate of as much as 150,000 acres (61,000 ha - 610 km²) annually. It was cultivated by Civilian Conservation Corps workers as a solution for the erosion during the Dust Bowl. Kudzu is a very stress-tolerant plant. These methods, though more effective than herbicides, are more time-consuming. [13] Another method of mechanical removal is to remove the crown of the plant. Distribution Map. Ball, and M. Patterson. [6] This ability allows it to flourish in nitrogen-poor sites where other plants are unable to grow. Kudzu can also root wherever stems make contact with soil, allowing vines to grow in all directions. The word is a corruption of “kuzu,“ the Japanese name for the plant. S3). When young, stems are covered with stiff bronze hairs, becoming woody when mature. [7][8][14] Kudzu was introduced to the Southeast in 1883 at the New Orleans Exposition. The following species have been reported to be invasive in natural areas in the U.S. million planted acres. The word "kudzu" comes from the Japanese word for the plant, 葛, or kuzu. [18] In the southeast, the spread of kudzu is especially troublesome because of the high level of biodiversity in this region that is not found in other regions of the United States. Columbia University. Kudzu was introduced into the US in 1878 from Japan as a Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and New Orleans in 1883 during an exposition. 104, 366-274. Kudzu has even been shown to possess medical properties and was used to fight inflammation and infections, among other ailments. [Accessed Mar 19, 2015]. Kudzu grows well under a wide range of environmental conditions, although greatest growth is achieved where winters are mild (40-60°F), summer temperatures rise above 80°F, and rainfall is abundant (101+ cm [39 in]). [7] From this survey, several leaf-feeding beetles and sawflies that have no other known hosts were identified. Kudzu was cultivated by civilians who were paid $8 per hour to plant the vine on the top … [1] This has earned it the nickname "the vine that ate the South". Department of the Environment and Energy. Kudzu in the United States is a recognized invasive plant species that has continued to cause problems for the environment and land owners. "Kudzu's invasion into Southern United States life and culture". You map prompted me to check whether it's found in British Columbia. [7], While little research has been conducted on the impacts of plant invasion on atmospheric conditions, a study conducted at Stony Brook University in New York shows that kudzu has increased the concentration of atmospheric NOx in the eastern United States, which causes a 2 ppb increase in tropospheric ozone during high temperature events in addition to soil acidification, aluminum mobilization, and leaching of nitrate (NO3−) into aquatic ecosystems. The vine was widely marketed in the Southeast as an ornamental plant to be used to shade porches,[7][15] and in the first half of the 20th century, kudzu was distributed as a high-protein content cattle fodder and as a cover plant to prevent soil erosion. University of Florida. Everest, J.W., J.H. These include mechanical, chemical, and biological methods. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. However it will not grow in very wet or thin hard-pan soil. Kudzu Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) Fast-growing, deciduous, perennial vine. Kudzu grows well under a wide range of conditions and in many soil types. [23] Soil solarization affects the micronutrients and macronutrients in the soil. [7][22], Another form of chemical removal other than herbicides is soil solarization. [20] In the United States, kudzu is extensively reported in Alabama, Arkansas, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. The plant was widely marketed as an ornamental plant that would provide shade for porches as well as a high protein content for livestock fodder and as a cover for soil erosion in the 20th century. The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source. [7] Along the vines are nodes, points at which stems or tendrils can propagate to increase support and attach to structures. [18] In the 135 years since its introduction, kudzu has spread over three million hectares (ha) of the southern United States, and continues to 'consume' the south at an estimated rate of 50,000 hectares (120,000 acres) per year, destroying power lines, buildings, and native vegetation in its path. Kudzu is an invasive plant species in the United States. North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Kudzu's ability to grow quickly, survive in areas of low nitrogen availability, and acquire resources quickly allows it to out-compete native species. For this reason Kudzu was promoted to be used as an erosion control. [7] Power companies must spend about $1.5 million per year to repair damage to power lines. 2006. Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board. One case study saw a significant decrease in the growth of kudzu after just two years, whereas another study required the use of the herbicide for up to ten years. Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on July 18, 2019: I've never had to deal with kudzu. Soil solarization is a thermal (heat) method that utilizes solar-enhanced heating of the soil to kill the root system of the plant, thereby avoiding the use of pesticides and other more dangerous (fire-based) means to control the plant. In addition, the fungus does not spread outside of areas where it is applied.