Kudzu Pueraria montana (Lour.) Fabaceae

Biology Climbing, semi-woody perennial vineClimbing, semi-woody perennial vine Native to Japan and ChinaNative to Japan and China Introduced to U.S. in 1876 as forage crop and ornamentalIntroduced to U.S. in 1876 as forage crop and ornamental Extensively planted for erosion control in the southeastern U.S. in the mid 1930’s thru 1950’sExtensively planted for erosion control in the southeastern U.S. in the mid 1930’s thru 1950’s

Background Economic Uses Brought to Florida as a forage and for erosion controlBrought to Florida as a forage and for erosion control May have been used as an ornamentalMay have been used as an ornamental

Distribution Covers nearly 2 million acres in the southeast U.S.Covers nearly 2 million acres in the southeast U.S. Found in several areas of north and north- west FloridaFound in several areas of north and north- west Florida Found along roadways and disturbed areas, forests – both hardwood and pineFound along roadways and disturbed areas, forests – both hardwood and pine

Kudzu Distribution in Florida

Impacts Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC) –spreads into undisturbed sites Grows over everything – plants, buildings, roadsigns (over 1 foot/day!)Grows over everything – plants, buildings, roadsigns (over 1 foot/day!) Kills other plants by blocking lightKills other plants by blocking light Mass of kudzu vegetation girdles stems and tree trunks, breaks branches, uproots trees and shrubsMass of kudzu vegetation girdles stems and tree trunks, breaks branches, uproots trees and shrubs

Identification

Mature Plant Vines grow >100 feet longVines grow >100 feet long Stems ½ to 4 inches in diameterStems ½ to 4 inches in diameter Some old stumps in Georgia >12 inSome old stumps in Georgia >12 in Spreads by seeds, runners, rhizomes, rooting vinesSpreads by seeds, runners, rhizomes, rooting vines Massive taproot >7 inches diameter >6 feet long Up to 30 vines per root crown

Leaves Alternate arrangementAlternate arrangement Compound leaf with 3 leafletsCompound leaf with 3 leaflets –Leaflets up to 4 inches across –Entire or deeply 2-3 lobed –Hairy margins

Flowers and Fruit Flowers purple and highly fragrantFlowers purple and highly fragrant Long hanging clustersLong hanging clusters Brown flattened seed podsBrown flattened seed pods Contain only 1 to 2 viable seedsContain only 1 to 2 viable seeds

Management PreventativeCulturalMechanicalBiologicalChemical

Preventative 1.Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are produced 2.Total eradication necessary, constant monitoring

Cultural 1.Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with this vine and proper identification 2.Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce establishment

Biological 1.No insects as biological control agents available for kudzu at this time 2.Asian soybean rust not as devastating as once thought 3.Goats and other grazing animals are quite effective, but must be grazed continuously (3 to 4 years)

Mechanical 1.Hand pull young seedlings, including all roots, repeated pulling for resprouts 2.Cut vine down at ground level 3.Mowing is effective, although likely impractical, but must be repeated 4.Dig out root crowns, tillage also very effective

Chemical - Foliar 1.Over-the-top applications, thoroughly wet leaves with herbicide Aminopyralid – 7 oz/A Aminopyralid – 7 oz/A Metsulfuron – 4 oz/A Metsulfuron – 4 oz/A Chlopyralid – 0.5% solution Chlopyralid – 0.5% solution Glyphosate – 3 to 5% solution Glyphosate – 3 to 5% solution Use surfactant at 0.25% Use surfactant at 0.25% 2.Best results applied July to October 3.Basal and cut stump treatments not practical

Useful Links Floridata Homepage: =Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm =Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source:

Useful Links The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group. Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States:

Useful Links Kansas Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection and Weed Control Program: stManagement/plant-pestmanagement- kudzu.htm stManagement/plant-pestmanagement- kudzu.htm Missouri Department of Conservation: Vegetation Management Guidelines for Kudzu: ic/vegman/fifteen.htm ic/vegman/fifteen.htm Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service,

Literature Cited Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks Identification and Biology of Non- Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp