Pueraria montana

Kudzu is a semi-woody, twining, aggressive vine that is native to Asia and Northern Australia. It is a member of the Fabaceae or legume family. There are approximately 15 species of kudzus that are native to China, Taiwan, Japan, and India.

The genus, Pueraria, is named in honor of Marc Nicolas Puerari, a Swiss botanist. The species name, montana, is Latin and means "mountains."

Kudzu was introduced in the United States in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. In 1905 Kudzu plants were available and used as forage for livestock. In 1933 the U.S. Soil Conservation Service introduced a variety of Kudzu, Pueraria montana var. lobata, for erosion control and agricultural purposes.  It was planted throughout the south by the Civil Conservation Corps. In the 1950s, the Department of Agriculture would no longer allow Kudzu to be planted. It was labeled a common weed in the 1970s. Kudzu was placed on the noxious weed list by Congress in 1997. It is currently a noxious weed in thirteen states.  Although eradication is not currently feasible, attempts are being made to control this invasive species.

The roots are starchy and tuberous. Some roots can grow to a depth of twelve feet and weigh from 200 to 300 pounds. The vines may grow one foot per day or sixty feet during the summer season. The stems can reach a diameter of 0.5 to 4 inches, but there are reports of stems being ten inches or more. The leaves are compound with 2-3 lobes per leaf. The flowers are small fragrant clusters that bloom from July to September. The fruits are flat hairy seed pods. The plant is propagated by seeds or division of young shoots from the crown. Kudzu can easily overtake other plants from its runners and rhizomes. Plants and trees can be killed by Kudzu due to girdling of stems and trunks and from blocking sunlight. 

Kudzu is found growing over thickets, forests, pastures, and along roadsides. It prefers loamy and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established. The Kudzu roots have nitrogen-fixing properties by interacting with certain bacteria in the soil. Kudzu can also affect air quality by producing Isoprene.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Kudzu is the host plant for the Asian soybean rust and the Kudzu bug (Megacopta cribraria).  Kudzu should not be planted and is an illegal plant in some areas of the United States. Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive plant council.