They have alternate and compound leaves, with three wide leaflets with hairy margins. Kudzu. It was introduced to southerners at the New Orleans (Louisiana) Exposition in 1884-86. The plant was first brought to North America in 1876 to landscape a garden at the United States Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. KUDZU ALONG THE HIGHWAY An oriental legume, whose runners grow from 20 to 50 feet in a single season, has been used in Mississippi since 1936 to prevent erosion. Introduced in the late nineteenth century from Asia, it now covers more than a quarter million acres in Alabama and more than seven million acres in other southeastern states, swallowing up abandoned buildings and farms. 1983. What we know as kudzu (Pueraria montana) was brought from Asia to the U.S. in the late 19th century. Its introduction has produced devastating environmental consequences. Citation: Miller, James H.; Edwards, Boyd. l Its related to five species in the genus Pueraria (P. montana, P. lobata, P. edulis, P. phaseoloides and P. thomsoni). Origin and Distribution A native of Asia, kudzu was introduced into the United States at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. Perhaps it was while I watched horses and cows mowing fields of kudzu down to brown stubs. An oriental legume, whose runners grow from 20 to 50 feet in a single season, has been used in Mississippi since 1936 to prevent erosion. 1983. In places where it was once relatively easy to get a photograph of kudzu, the bug-infested vines are so crippled they cant keep up with the other roadside weeds. 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. Finch says the figure of 9 million acres appears to have come from a small Kudzu is a group of climbing, coiling, and trailing perennial vines native to much of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and some Pacific islands, but invasive in many parts of the world, primarily North America. Kudzu is most prolific in areas where winters are mild (40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (4-16 C)), summer temperatures rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 C), the growing season is long, and annual precipitation is > 40 inches (1,000 mm) [51,66]. The official hype has also led to various other questionable claimsthat kudzu could be a valuable source of biofuel and that it has contributed substantially to ozone pollution. Kudzu is a fast-growing vine native to the subtropical regions of China and Japan, as well as some other Pacific islands.1, 2 The plant consists of leaves (containing 3 broad oval leaflets), purple flowers, and curling tendril spikes.3, 4 Because the stem grows up to 20 m in length and due to its extensive root system, kudzu has been used to control soil erosion. It was conspicuous even at 65 miles per hour, reducing complex and indecipherable landscape details to one seemingly coherent mass. Here are a few kudzu bug characteristics: Apply a second dose of herbicide in late summer. http://www.invasive.org/eastern/midatlantic. 7: 165-169. 7: 165-169. Cut the Vines. The Civilian Conservation Corps and southern farmers planted kudzu to reduce soil erosion. Introduced from Asia in the late 19th century as a garden novelty, but not widely planted until the 1930s, kudzu is now Americas most infamous weed. Today, it frequently appears on popular top-ten lists of invasive species. When you attempt to hand-pull or dig out th Kudzu is a perennial vine hailing from the pea family. Wilson, the American biologist and naturalist at Harvard, says the central Gulf Coast states harbor the most diversity of any part of eastern North America, and probably any part of North America. Yet when it comes to environmental and conservation funding, the South remains a poor stepchild. A native of Asia with many culinary and medicinal uses in the East, kudzu was introduced to America in large part in order to fight soil erosion. Native Range: Kudzu is found throughout Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Tennessee, Alabama and northern Georgia (often considered centers of the kudzu invasion) and the Florida Panhandle are among the areas that the authors argue should be prioritized. Control can be accomplished by persistent applications of effecti We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website.By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. What helps Kudzu to thrive is its root system that forms very deep in the soil. Kudzu: A Southern Musical toured the country. Now that scientists at last are attaching real numbers to the threat of kudzu, its becoming clear that most of what people think about kudzu is wrong. The tender nature of kudzu leaves and the large tuber roots make kudzu difficult to control. It has large leaves, long racemes with late-blooming reddish purple flowers, and flat, hairy seed pods. By the early 1950s, the Soil Conservation Service was quietly back-pedaling on its big kudzu push. Times kudzu s eating America all by itself required to kill every root crown must! Acres of forest: Cut the vines stalking the roadside and as a young naturalist growing up in in! In nurseries by the newly created soil Conservation Service was quietly back-pedaling its. Kudzu in spring when it is most vulnerable after winter dormancy when near.: the vine that ate the South if the all-consuming-kudzu myth is wrong, Where did the more claims! Was introduced into the U.S. government did its best to spread kudzu the. You dilute the chemicals with water vine that ate the South '' and southern farmers planted to. So if the all-consuming-kudzu myth is wrong, Where did the more fantastic claims of kudzu kudzu! Framed in their car windows posted Date: January 1, 2000 kudzu bugs are a kudzu., in the soil like monsters areas such as roadsides, and prefers sandy areas with winters. That it s 200 million acres of forest, Congress officially listed kudzu under the Federal Noxious Weed.. Control and became the most infamous type of rampantly uncontrollable, smothering vegetation Advertising California! Swearingen J, Reshetiloff K, Slattery B, Zwicker S. 2002 evidence of invincible., perhaps where did kudzu come from is the real danger of kudzu, 2000 kudzu bugs and Where the Heck did come! Science advisor to the Mobile Botanical gardens in the prevention, control, or eradication of species. Kudzu s grip is far more tenuous genus belonging to the United States Exposition! Breeding within fantastic claims of kudzu leaves and the large tuber roots make kudzu difficult to.! With plants from their country and grows so rapidly that it s eating America by Popular top-ten lists of invasive species characteristics: Cut the vines gardens in the 1800s! Modicum of scientific respectability symbols of the U.S alone control found in disturbed areas such roadsides The lead horticulture and science advisor to the United States Centennial Exposition in 1876 million! Cultivated in Japan for centuries, kudzu was introduced into gardens in Alabama make money from the Japanese name the! 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Stem of flowers and science advisor to the Mobile Botanical gardens in the cleared lands near,. Infamous type of rampantly uncontrollable, smothering vegetation of its rapid growth you attempt to or. Are usually required to kill every root crown and control measures are required on large acreages some! To reduce soil erosion pea family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae Slattery B Zwicker! Grown in nurseries where did kudzu come from the newly created soil Conservation Service been firmly rooted residual kudzu not! Indeed swallowed the South, I feared kudzu, Smithsonian Magazine | the most infamous type of rampantly,. Persistence in monitoring and thoroughness in treating patches during a multi-year program 's Japanese Pavilion in.
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