Kudzu Kudzu in Pennsylvania

Kudzu is a state listed nox- Historical information from ious weed with limited nation- investigations of old growth wide distribution occurring sites indicate that botanical hobbyists planted the species mainly in the southern states. ducting research to evaluate Kudzu is capable of forming a at their homes after the 1876 Centennial Exposition. Beth- effective control measures. In monoculture in all habitats, 2005, a one time allotment of displacing native or beneficial lehem Steele is also known to have seeded kudzu on $50K from the legislature, plants with its aggressive enabled PDA to launch a Pi- growth. Kudzu is also a host slag piles throughout its land holdings for erosion control lot Eradication Program to for soybean rust; a yield re- assist landowners with imple- ducing plant pathogen. measures in the1950’s. Site visits to several old growth menting a 3 year control pro- infestations have found per- gram to eradicate populations of kudzu. Subsequent calls to History sisting populations that date to the 1920’s if not earlier. the state hotline and survey- In 1876, kudzu was intro- ing have since detected 91 populations of kudzu infesting duced from Japan to the U.S. The Pennsylvania Depart- during the Philadelphia Cen- 140 properties in PA. All sites ment of Agriculture (PDA) were planted between 1920- tennial Exposition. Shortly added kudzu to the PA Nox- there-after it was marketed 1989 and average 18,000 sq. ious Weed Control List in feet in size. Total state wide as a shade plant for southern 1989. As of 2011, Kudzu homes. From 1910 through acreage infested in PA is less sites are known in 16 coun- than 60 acres. To date 64 the 1930’s kudzu was also ties: Alleghany, Armstrong, promoted in Florida and sites have been controlled Berks, Cambria, Centre (PSU southern states as a new and many have been eradi- weed garden) Chester, Dauphin, cated in the pilot program. feed for animals and the U.S. Delaware, Franklin, Lancas- Soil Erosion Service pro- ter, Lebanon, moted kudzu for erosion con- Montgomery, trol. Thousands of acres in Northumber- the south were seeded to land, Philadel- kudzu as a result. By 1953, it phia, West- had become clear that kudzu If you believe you have discovered a pre- moreland, and viously undetected kudzu population, was too aggressive and the York. All sites USDA removed kudzu from are classified please report it the list of recommended as purposefully by calling the cover crops and declared it a planted. PA Noxious “weed” in 1970. However, the Weed Hotline distribution of the plant for Kudzu Control 1-877-464-9333. soil erosion and forage pur- Program poses was too extensive to declare the plant a federal As of 2000, the noxious weed. By 1983, it PDA knew of was estimated that 2 million only a few loca- acres in the southeastern tions of kudzu U.S. had been overrun by the and at the request of several introduction of this crop.

property owners began con-

Kudzu Description and continues through September in PA. Kudzu is a perennial member of the Fabaceae or bean family and looks Seed pods are flat and hairy very much like a soybean or lima measuring 2 to 4 inches in length. bean plant. As it matures it quickly The bean seed continues to harden becomes a after pods split open and these woody twining seeds at PA sites are persist- vine, which can ing for 7 years in research easily grow to a sites. height of 50-60 feet and grows Roots produce a “yam” like both prostrate structure at the base of the on the ground parent vine deep in the soil- that can weigh up to 100 lbs; and Kudzu seedlings emerge in and by climbing any nearby struc- ture or tree. roots spread across the ground as August in PA after a heavy runners anchoring the parent vine rain Leaves are al- with long rope like struc- ternative and tures, that form a knot at trifoliate with regular intervals. These leaflets being knots root and produce a broadly ovate new vine adding to the up to 6” long overall patch dimensions. and often times one or more Similar species leaflets are lobed like a “mitten”. Japanese honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, poison-ivy, wisteria, Stems are both vegetative and and wild grapes are all climbing, woody. Vegetative stems are cov- twining, woody vines found in PA ered in soft and are differentiated white hairs and from kudzu by leaf are very pli- and flower shapes. able. It is these Poison ivy leaves are stems that are shiny and lack the fine Typical kudzu strangling a describes as hairs that cover kudzu tree in PA “growing a foot leaves. a day” in the summer. Biology/Ecology Young woody stems look like Kudzu sites in PA are found along a brown snake and the center of road-side shoulders, invading ad- the stem has corky white pith with a joining woodlots and tucked away distinctive scent. These woody in homeowner back yards. All sur- stems will mature over time into veyed sites were purposefully gnarly twisted vines with fissured planted decades ago. Seedlings bark. emerge in the late summer and

flower a year or two after Flowers appear emergence. Kudzu in late summer leaves are completely as showy purple killed by frost and current racemes and year stems will die back have a strong to the nodes of twine-like floral scent. stems which then mature Flowering be- Green seed pods in late Fall into woody vines. gins in late July in PA

Bravo et al. 2011. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Noxious Weed Alerts.