Invasive Alien Plant Species of Virginia
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata (W illd.) Ohwi) ______
Description Kudzu is a perennial, trailing or climbing vine of the legume family. Dark green leaves, starchy fibrous roots, and elongated purple flowers with a fragrance reminiscent of grapes readily identify this aggressive vine. A dense stand of identically colored plants growing on and around everything in its path is also a familiar field mark. Rarely flowering, kudzu stems and roots spread out in all directions from root crowns, with new plants beginning every one to two feet at stem nodes. This dense packing of kudzu can result in tens of thousands of plants occupying a single acre of land. Kudzu leaves are hairy beneath, often tri-lobed, and in groups of three on the vine. The 1/2 to 3/4 inch purple flowers are pea-like in shape and are produced on plants exposed to direct sunlight. Kudzu fruits, present in October and No- vember, are hairy, bean-like pods which produce only a few viable seeds in each pod cluster. It is thought that some seeds can remain dormant for sev- Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) eral years before they germinate. During the peak growing season in early summer, this prolific vine can grow at a rate of a foot a day, easily covering found in Florida where it has begun and choking trees and understory vegetation. to invade the Everglades. Through- out Virginia, kudzu stands are a Habitat use as a soil stabilizer, animal fod- common sight along roadways and A hardy opportunist, kudzu grows der, and ornamental vine. Due to its bordering agricultural fields. in a variety of habitats and environ- prolific nature and lack of natural mental conditions, but does best on insect or disease controls, kudzu Threats deep, well-drained, loamy soils. Al- quickly made a pest of itself and was Where it grows, kudzu has the most any disturbed area is suitable considered a nuisance by the early ability to out-compete and elimi- habitat for this vine. Roadsides, old 1950s. In 1970 it was listed as a nate native plant species and up- fields, vacant lots and abandoned common weed by the Soil Conser- set the natural diversity of plant and yards are all prime spots for new vation Service. Today, kudzu is animal communities. Its extremely kudzu growth. spread along the Atlantic coast; rapid growth rate and habit of grow- north to Illinois and Massachusetts, ing over objects threatens natural Distribution west to Texas and Oklahoma, and areas by killing native vegetation A native of Japan, kudzu was south to Alabama, Georgia and Mis- through crowding and shading, and brought to the southeastern United sissippi where the heaviest infesta- can seriously stifle agricultural and States at the turn of the century for tions occur. It has also recently been timber production. In addition, al-
For more information, contact the Department of Conservation and Recreation, or the Virginia Native Plant Society.
Virginia Native Plant Society P.O. Box 844 Annandale, VA 22003
1500 East Main Street, Suite 312 Richmond, VA 23219
This fact sheet was funded in part by the Department of Environmental Quality's Coastal Resources Management Program through Grant #NA270Z0312-01 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Coastal Resource Management Act of 1972 as amended. Invasive Alien Plant Species of Virginia Kudzu though edible by many grazing ani- can be eliminated by persistent cides are transported to the roots mals, its viney nature makes it dif- weeding, mowing, or grazing dur- where they are able to kill the entire ficult to cut and bale, making it un- ing the growing season over a pe- plant. desirable as a hay crop. Grazing can riod of three to four years. Unfortu- In some areas, prescribed burn- eliminate kudzu fields in just a few nately, with root systems that can be ing may be used as a follow-up years making them unsuitable for up to 12 feet deep, eradication by treatment after herbicide applica- use as pastures except over a short direct root removal is not practical. tion. Although it should be carefully time period. Because of its hardy Long-term treatment of heavily and professionally handled, this two nature and lack of natural enemies, infested sites usually requires the step process is effective in clearing kudzu is able to colonize diverse application of herbicides over a pe- out leaf litter and speeding habitats and achieve a widespread riod of up to five years to inhibit the recolonization of an area by desir- distribution. growth of new shoots. Biodegrad- able native plant species. able glyphosphate herbicides are Control recommended for control of kudzu References Control of well established kudzu in natural areas. These herbicides stands can take up to 10 years. Per- break down rapidly into harmless Fernald, M. L. 1950. Gray’s Manual of sistent eradication of all roots is the components when exposed to soil. Botany, Eighth edition. American Book Company, New York. 1632 pp. key to the control of this pest, keep- Because glyphosphate is a systemic, ing in mind that a single kudzu patch non-selective herbicide that affects Gleason, H. A., and A. Cronquist.991. may extend past landowner bound- all green vegetation, treatments Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern aries. The most effective method of should be carefully timed and ap- United States and Adjacent Canada, second control will depend on several fac- plied by trained applicators. The best edition. The New York Botanical Garden, New York. 910 pp. tors; size of the infested area, prox- time for application of these herbi- imity to sensitive species or other cides is at the end of the growing Harvill, A. M., Jr., et al. 1992. Atlas of the desirable vegetation, and accessibil- season when the plants are actively Virginia Flora, fifth edition. Virginia ity of the patch. Small patches of transporting nutrients from leaves Botanical Associates, Farmville. 135 pp. kudzu that are not well established and stems to root systems. When Kudzu in Alabama - History, Uses, and (usually ones less than ten years old) applied at the proper time, herbi- Control. Alabama Cooperative Extension, Circular ANR-65, Auburn. 8 pp.
For more information, contact the Department of Conservation and Recreation, or the Virginia Native Plant Society.
Virginia Native Plant Society P.O. Box 844 Annandale, VA 22003
1500 East Main Street, Suite 312 Richmond, VA 23219
This fact sheet was funded in part by the Department of Environmental Quality's Coastal Resources Management Program through Grant #NA270Z0312-01 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Coastal Resource Management Act of 1972 as amended.