Information Last Reviewed June 2007
Family: Fabaceae
Symbol: PUMOL
Home Range/U.S. Introduction:
This species is native to Japan and is now widespread in the southeastern United States. The introduction may have been intentional for erosion control along roadsides. The flowers are attractive, and the plant has also been used as an ornamental.
U.S. Range Map:
Species Description:
Kudzu is a high-climbing, densely pubescent, semiwoody vine with fleshy, tuberous roots. The leaves are alternate, net-veined, and pinnately compound with three leaflets. The three leaflets arise from the tip of a long petiole. The leaflets are pubescent, entire to lobed, with pinnate major veins. The flowers are perfect and irregular, and have an odor of grape Kool-Aid. The flowers are numerous in axillary panicles. The petals are purple or reddish-purple with a distinct yellow patch on the largest petal. The fruit is a several-seeded flat legume that is brown, pubescent, and 4-5 cm long.
Growth Characteristics:
Kudzu is a fast-growing vine that persists along roadbanks and seems to be spreading into waste areas, fields, and even into the edges of forests. It often climbs on buildings and other man-made structures. It reproduces by seeds and by the tuberous roots.
Problems:
The fast-growing vine climbs over other plants (including natives) and kills them. Its tuberous root habit makes eradication of this species difficult.