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COMMON NAMEKudzu FULL SCIENTIFIC NAMEPueraria montana var lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S. Almeida FAMILY NAME COMMONPea family FAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAMEFabaceae IMAGES
NOMENCLATURE/SYNONYMS Synonyms: Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. DESCRIPTIONPueraria montana var. lobata is a semi-woody, rapidly growing perennial vine with stems 2.5 cm (2 in.) thick. It can grow to heights of 10-30 m (32-100 ft.). The dark green leaves are compound, subovate to subrotund, 10-15 cm (4-6 in.) in length, and the leaflets can be 2-3 lobed. They are hairy beneath. The grape-scented flowers are each 2-2.5 cm (0.8-1 in.) long, and are borne in long, hanging clusters. The pedicels are densely sericeous, and the corollas are reddish purple. Pueraria montana flowers rarely, and only after the plant is at least three years old. The fruits are brown, flattened pods that are covered with brown hairs . Each pod can contain 3-10 hard seeds. These pods are 3.1 cm (8 in.) in length and 0.8 cm (0.3 in.) wide. Pueraria montana var. lobata has fleshy tap roots that can reach 18 cm (7 in.) in width and grow to 3.75 m (9 ft.) deep. These roots can weigh up to 180 kg (400 lbs.). Pueraria montana var. lobata is the variety thought to be most common in the Northeast. Page References Gleason & Cronquist 305, Holmgren 287, Magee & Ahles 683. See reference section below for full citations. SIMILAR SPECIESNone
REPRODUCTIVE/DISPERSAL MECHANISMSPueraria montana var. lobata spreads primarily via runners and rhizomes. Seed is also a means of dispersal, but many of the seeds in the pods are not fertile.
DISTRIBUTIONPueraria montana var. lobata is native to Japan. In the United States it is located from Massachusetts to Florida and west to Nebraska and Texas. It is also found in the states of Oregon and Washington. In New England it is currently restricted to a few sites in Connecticut and Massachusetts. There is also a population on Fishers Island in the Long Island Sound.
HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION IN NEW ENGLANDIn 1876 Pueraria montana was shown at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition as a forage crop and ornamental. From 1935-1950, farmers in the South were encouraged to plant it to reduce soil erosion, but by 1953 it was recognized as a pest. The first Connecticut record was in 1978.
HABITATS IN NEW ENGLANDAbandoned Field,Edge,Open Disturbed Area,Roadside,Vacant Lot,Yard or GardenPueraria montana var. lobata can be found at forest edges, roadsides and disturbed areas. This plant cannot survive without ample sun. It also grows best in areas with mild winters and summer temperatures greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
THREATSIn the South, Pueraria montana var. lobata is rampant. This vine kills native vegetation by smothering or girdling plants. It breaks branches, and is sometimes so heavy that it can uproot trees by the force of its weight. It grows rapidly, and during the height of the growing season can grow up to 0.3 m (1 ft.) a day. The plant can gain 18 m (60 ft.) or more of length during one growing season. Due to Pueraria montana's highly aggressive nature, it is listed as a federal noxious weed. MANAGEMENT LINKS Conservation Commission of Missouri Plant Conservation Alliance DOCUMENTATION NEEDS Documentation required: Specific photograph or mounted snippet of the leaves and inflorescence.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Conservation Commission of Missouri Southeast Exotic Plant Pest Control, University of Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council The PLANTS Database Oregon Department of Agriculture National Invasive Species Information Center The Nature Conservancy, Wildland Invasive Species Team Integrated Taxonomic System Information DATA RETRIEVALDataMAPS OF PLANT DISTRIBUTION IN NEW ENGLANDMap
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