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Great Lakes Center, SAMC 319
SUNY Buffalo State
1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222

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Photo by Kerry Britton, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Kudzu

COMMON NAME:

Kudzu

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Pueraria lobata

ORIGIN:

Asia

DESCRIPTION:

Kudzu is a climbing, woody, perennial vine that has the potential to reach up to 100 ft. in height. Alternately arranged leaves are compound with three leaflets. The vine is yellow-green to grey in color, and may reach a thickness of 10" or more in diameter. Kudzu has purple, highly fragrant flowers that are borne in long, hanging clusters. Its brown, hairy, flattened seed pods are produced from September to January.

HABITAT:

Kudzu typically grows along field edges, roadsides and near river corridors. It colonizes quickly through prolific growth along the ground and into tree canopies.

THREAT:

Appointed as "the plant that took over the south," kudzu is notorious for growing over anything in its path. It easily out-competes other native plants as it covers them and blocks out sunlight. Kudzu will also girdle and uproot trees and shrubs as it grows. In some instances, it has been reported that kudzu can grow as much as a foot per day once established.

MANAGEMENT:

Because of its aggressive growth and extensive root system, repeated herbicide treatments are most commonly used to control kudzu.

WNY PRISM PRIORITY:

WNY PRISM Priority

Tier 1 - Raise Awareness

NYS Invasive Species Tiers Chart - Tier Definitions

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

There are no additional resources at this time.

NYS Prohibited and Regulated Species - Part 575:

PATHWAYS OF INVASION:

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Distribution

Not Present

MAP (via iMapInvasives):


This map shows confirmed observations (green points) submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there. For more information, please visit iMapInvasives.