The kudzu vine, also known by its botanical name Pueraria lobata, is a warm season blooming perennial with a climbing growth habit, originally native to Asia. A member of the bean family, kudzu is valued for its ornamental, erosion control and nitrogen fixing properties, although it has become an invasive weed in many areas.
Blooming
Kudzu vines bloom in late summer, producing clusters of large, showy flowers, ranging in color from violet to reddish purple, with small patches of yellow in the centers. The flowers are reminiscent of wisteria blooms, growing to lengths up to ½ inch. Kudzu vines produce flowers in a raceme configuration, clusters of blooms spiraling up a central stalk in a pyramidal fashion. Upon fertilization, kudzu vines produce seeds in flattened pods 1.5 to 2 inches long.
Characteristics
Kudzu vines are warm season, semi-woody vines, capable of climbing and trailing onto a variety of surfaces. They are quick growers, producing up to one foot of new growth each day, with vines up to 10 inches in diameter. The stems are yellowish green initially, becoming woody as the plant matures. Kudzu vines produce green, hairy tri-foliate leaves, on stalks ranging from 6 to 12 inches in length. Kudzu tolerates an extremely wide range of soil and climate conditions, although it grows best in warm weather.
Ecological Impact
Although kudzu vines are prized as ornamentals, they are classified as invasive plants across much of the United States. Kudzu vines grow extremely fast, as much as 60 feet annually in ideal conditions, out-competing native vegetation. Kudzu vines climb trees rapidly, depriving them of sunlight and airflow, and shade the soil in sunny areas, preventing the germination and establishment of native plants. Kudzu vines frequently choke out or otherwise eliminate native plant habitat, reducing available food sources for animal populations and even changing groundwater levels. Left unchecked, kudzu vines have the potential to irreparably damage sensitive biotic communities.
Methods of Control
Kudzu vines are a frequent nuisance for homeowners as well, damaging structures, power lines, irrigation systems and landscaping. Although kudzu is resistant to many herbicides, there are a few effective control measures. Glyphosate is useful in abating infestations, although it has the potential to damage surrounding plants, and repeated applications are necessary. Mechanical forms of removal, such as mowing or hand pulling, are also effective. Control measures for kudzu require patience and persistence, since single applications are almost never enough to completely eradicate the vines from a given area.
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