Kudzu

(Pueraria montana or P. lobata)

Perennial, deciduous, semi-woody climbing vine; stems are yellow-green and are covered with golden and silver hairs. It can grow up to 1’ per day and 60’ per season and is also able to produce up to 30 vines from one root crown.

Other names for this plant include:

• Common names: Vine-that-ate-the-south, foot-a-night vine, Japanese arrowroot
• Scientific names: P. lobata; P montana var. lobata; P. montana var. montana

Ecological threat:

• It is commonly found infesting forest edges, abandoned fields, roadsides and other disturbed areas.
• Girdles and blankets trees and shrubs by climbing up them to the root crown, which increases the chances of the trees being pulled down due to the weight.