[7] As a twining vine, kudzu uses stems or tendrils that can extend from any node on the vine to attach to and climb most surfaces. lobata (Willd.) 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. [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. Kudzu Pueraria montana : Description: Kudzu is a fast-growing, climbing, semi-woody perennial vine in the pea family. Maps can be downloaded and shared. [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. [7], Kudzu management is of great concern in the management of national parks in the southeast such as Vicksburg National Military Park, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They reduce the environment to impoverished "vine barrens". Kudzu has even been shown to possess medical properties and was used to fight inflammation and infections, among other ailments. 46, no 5, September, 2015, p. 19. Leftover root fragments from lawnmowers can also take root and become established. Forest Service. Miller, James H., and Ronald E. This site is also protected by an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate that’s been signed by the U.S. government. While the vine spreads, the pest range will spread, and the pest will navigate itself into economically important crops. The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source. 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… Native to eastern Asia, the perennial vine known as kudzu was introduced to the southeastern United States in the late 19th century as an ornamental plant to provide shade for porches. Distribution Map. Nothing seems to stop it. The most prominent effect of this method of control is the increase in potassium. 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. The leaves are alternate and compound, with three broad, hairy leaflets up to 4 inches across. Kudzu is an invasive plant species in the United States. S3). [citation needed], Bill Finch, "Legend of the Green Monster," Smithsonian Magazine, vol. Home; Report; Distribution Map; Research; Identification; Control; Images; Video; Links; Contact; Website developed, maintained and hosted by the Bugwood Center for Invasives Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia as part of the Southern IPM Center with funding provided by USDA NIFA, under Agreement No. "Landscaping to Conserve Energy", Keung, W.M. Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program (Canada). [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. Distribution Map; Research; Identification; Control; Images; Video; Links; Contact; Website developed, maintained and hosted by the Bugwood Center for Invasives Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia as part of the Southern IPM Center with funding provided by USDA NIFA, under Agreement No. Disease development is very high at around 30 °C to 40 °C, which matches field conditions. Pueraria montana var. North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 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. It cannot be over emphasized that total eradication of kudzu is necessary to prevent re-growth. Kudzu in the United States is a recognized invasive plant species that has continued to cause problems for the environment and land owners. Its introduction has produced devastating environmental consequences. Kudzu grows well under a wide range of conditions and in many soil types. 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. [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. The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. In China, kudzu root is used in herbal remedies, teas, and the treatment of alcohol-related problems. [7] In addition, it takes about $5,000 per hectare (2.5 acres) per year to control kudzu. You map prompted me to check whether it's found in British Columbia. Washington Invasive Species Council. However, by 1953, the kudzu invasion was on the move and the USDA took kudzu off of the list of recommended cover plants. Today, somewhere between two and seven million acres in the southeastern United Stated are covered by kudzu. [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. Potential control agents have to be rejected if they are shown in laboratory and field tests to feed on these non-target plants. "Biology and Preliminary Host Range Assessment of Two Potential Kudzu Biological Control Agents. 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. 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. [13] Another method of mechanical removal is to remove the crown of the plant. As with most aggressive exotic species, eradication requires persistence in monitoring and thoroughness in treating patches during a multi-year program. The kudzu. [23] Soil solarization affects the micronutrients and macronutrients in the soil. [7][22], Another form of chemical removal other than herbicides is soil solarization. Kudzu also forms symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonium which can be used by surrounding plants. lobata is a climbing, deciduous vine capable of reaching lengths of over 100 ft. (30.5 m) in a single season. [14] The efficacy of the treatment of alcohol-related problems is currently under question, but experiments show promising results. ; Jenkins, M. A. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Galveston Bay Estuary Program; Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC). Range of invasion on Maui: On Maui, kudzu can be found in low elevation wet areas along the Hana Highway in Keanae, Wailua, and Nahiku. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Once established, kudzu grows at a rate of one foot per day with mature vines as long as 100 feet. Kudzu is drought tolerant and only the above ground portions of the plant are damaged by frost. Kudzu's ability to grow quickly, survive in areas of low nitrogen availability, and acquire resources quickly allows it to out-compete native species. 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]). (18 cm) in width and grow to 9 ft. (3.8 m) deep. [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. Click on an acronym to view each weed list, or click here for a composite list of Weeds of the U.S. National Invasive Species Information Center, Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) - Kudzu, Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - Kudzu, New York Invasive Species Information - Kudzu, Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) -, The Quiet Invasion: A Guide to Invasive Species of the Galveston Bay Area - Kudzu, Japanese Arrowroot, Invasive Plants: Restricted Invasive Plants - Kudzu, Forest Pests: Invasive Plants and Insects of Maryland - Kudzu (Aug 2012) (PDF | 670 KB), Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania: Kudzu (PDF | 211 KB), Publications - Weed Control for Lawn and Garden, The History and Use of Kudzu in the Southeastern United States (2018), Introduced Species Summary Project - Kudzu, Invasive, Exotic Plants of the Southeast - Kudzu, Kudzu in Alabama: History, Uses, and Control (PDF | 1.46 MB). A second major promotion of kudzu came in 1884 in the Japanese pavilion at the New Orleans Exposition… Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. In McNeely, J. 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. 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. Ecological Threat 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.” [5][7] These attributes of kudzu made it attractive as an ornamental plant for shading porches in the southeastern United States, but they facilitated the growth of kudzu as it became a "structural parasite" of the South,[7] enveloping entire structures when untreated[11] and often referred to as "the vine that ate the South".[13]. [7] The climate and environment of the Southeastern United States allowed the kudzu to grow virtually unchecked. It was cultivated by Civilian Conservation Corps workers as a solution for the erosion during the Dust Bowl. In the USA, kudzu has a wide geographic and climatic range but grows best in areas with at least 1000 mm annual rainfall, mild winters (5-15°C) and hot summers (above 25°C). [21] Another way to control kudzu is goats and sheep. Google. 2014-70006-22485. Miller, D.M. European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. YouTube; United States Department of Agriculture. All land owners in an infestation area must coopera… [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. Its introduction has produced devastating environmental consequences. University of Florida. National Genetic Resources Program. Appearance Pueraria montana var. 1999). In 1970 kudzu was listed as a common weed, and in 1998 it was listed as a Fed-eral Noxious Weed. [7] By 1946, it was estimated that 1,200,000 hectares (3,000,000 acres) of kudzu had been planted. "Effects of Kudzu (, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Environmental issues in the United States, "Kudzu's invasion into Southern United States life and culture", "Controlling Kudzu With Naturally Occurring Fungus", "Fungus Tapped to Take on Kudzu : USDA ARS", Kudzu Gets Kudos as a Potential Biofuel, 2008, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kudzu_in_the_United_States&oldid=991870494, Invasive plant species in the United States, Articles with dead external links from February 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2013, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 2 December 2020, at 06:27. This part must also be destroyed to prevent re-implantation. GRIN-Global. These methods, though more effective than herbicides, are more time-consuming. Grows up to one foot per day. 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. [7] Along the vines are nodes, points at which stems or tendrils can propagate to increase support and attach to structures. The maximum length the vine can reach is 30 m (98 feet). Harrington, Timothy B., Laura T. Rader-Dixon, and John W. Taylor. Pennsylvania Sea Grant. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. [8], A different and less time-consuming option for the control of kudzu is treatment with herbicides. Vines are 1 to 4 inches thick. [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. In kudzu’s native countries, it has continued to have beneficial uses beyond being an adequate form of soil erosion control. YouTube; Oklahoma State University. Forest Service. By 1997, the vine was placed on the "Federal Noxious Weed List". [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. 1999), Crowds out native species (Everest et al. Organisms that feed on kudzu will often feed on similar non-target species that are important in agriculture, such as soybeans and hog-peanuts. Kudzu Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) Fast-growing, deciduous, perennial vine. [7] Power companies must spend about $1.5 million per year to repair damage to power lines. [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. A small herd can reduce an acre (0.4 ha) of kudzu every day. Going Native: Urban Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants. [15] There are several biological means that are already in place and more that may be implemented to control the growth of kudzu. [7] For sexual reproduction, kudzu is entirely dependent on pollinators. Some common herbicides used are picloram and triclopyr; the most effective are picloram and tebuthiuron. [11], Other uses may include: paper products, food products, insect repellents (the smoke from burning leaves), honey, and methane production. University of Georgia. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar. When young, stems are covered with stiff bronze hairs, becoming woody when mature. Cooperative Extension. Kudzu growing near the Mississippi river in Baton Rouge. Kudzu… Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Roots are fleshy with taproot up to 12 feet deep . [11][14] In Japan, the kudzu root starch (or kuzu root starch) extracted from kudzu roots is used in cooking and natural medicines, and it is used to make hay that sick animals will eat. [7] Seed predation is quite prevalent, with up to 81% of seeds incurring damage in populations studied in North Carolina. [7] Other pathogens have been tested as potential biological control agents, but have proven to be ineffective. Leaflets may be entire or deeply lobed. In the absence of other plants, nitrogen then builds up in the soil, allowing the maintenance of large leaf areas and high photosynthetic rates. 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. 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. Preferred habitats are open, sunny areas like forest edges, abandoned fields, roadsides and disturbed areas. A different survey found twenty-five different species of insect feeding on the kudzu. 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. The Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) has a disjunct distribution in Europe and the island of Ireland. Ball, and M. Patterson. Revegetation of sites following treatment is an important last step to ensure that any residual kudzu does not reestablish. [21], Most mechanical means of kudzu removal practiced in the southeastern United States involve mowing the vine or cutting it back. True. (180 kg). While they may admit that Kudzu was deliberately sown by the US Soil Conservation Service to reduce soil erosion, they just as quickly say that it is a noxious, invasive plant that should be avoided at all cost. ANR-65. Kudzu mostly lives in the southeast because of the well-drained eroded lands. United States Kudzu Range Map. [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. ", Marshall, Jessica "Kudzu Gets Kudos as a Potential Biofuel". Kudzu is a climbing vine native to Japan. [9][10] Each leaflet is large and ovate with two to three lobes each and hair on the underside. Provides kudzu resources from sources with an interest in the prevention, control, or eradication of invasive species. This review assesses the potential use of kudzu (Pueraria montana var. Today, many people that consider Kudzu an invasive species do not talk much about the fact that it is an edible plant related to peas. Such a rise in potassium levels by solarization is important for soils in the Southeastern United States that tend to be highly weathered and generally have low potassium contents. The word is a corruption of “kuzu,“ the Japanese name for the plant. The word "kudzu" comes from the Japanese word for the plant, 葛, or kuzu. "Kudzu Root: An Ancient Chinese Source of Modern Antidipsotrophic Agents. The following species have been reported to be invasive in natural areas in the U.S. Of these states, three in the southeast have the heaviest infestations: Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.[18]. "Kudzu's invasion into Southern United States life and culture". [17], Kudzu was intentionally introduced to North America by the Soil Erosion Service and Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s for the purpose of controlling soil erosion in the American Southeast. 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. It was first introduced to North America in 1876 in the Japanese pavilion at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. [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. Range. Kudzu is a fast growing vine native to China and Japan and was introduced into the United States in the late 1800s as fodder for livestock and to prevent soil erosion. 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. At Keanae kudzu smothers hau thickets and is poised to invade taro loi. ", Adams, Nicole E., et al. [18] The fast growth and high competitive ability is achieved through several key features of kudzu that are detailed below. [11], Kudzu also has potential as a source for biofuel. Control of the vine is difficult because kudzu propagates through runners, rhizomes, nodes on vines, and seeds. [7] When evaluations of potential control agents are made, the range of the control agents must be taken into account. 1999. [7] From this survey, several leaf-feeding beetles and sawflies that have no other known hosts were identified. [11] In Korea, kudzu grows in areas where the temperature can drop to −22 °F (−30 °C). [11] The starch is used in Japanese cuisine, and is widely consumed as such in that country. At Wailua, kudzu can be also be [7], Although kudzu prefers forest regrowth and edge habitats with high sun exposure, the plant can survive in full sun or partial shade. C ompletely covers vegetation and structures. See also: Aquatic Invasive Species: Resources for additional species information, See also: Publications - Weed Control for Lawn and Garden for more resources. Kudzu was introduced into the US in 1878 from Japan as a Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and New Orleans in 1883 during an exposition. Columbia University. The vine has a growth rate of 0.3 m (1 foot) every day. [11] Kudzu is also used as a food crop in Java, Sumatra, and Malaya, and can be found in Puerto Rico and South America.
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