Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Fabales>Fabaceae>Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S. Almeida

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

Kudzu is a common, large, rambunctious deciduous vine of edges and waste places, introduced from China and Japan. Familiar throughout the southern United States, Kudzu grows at a very rapid rate and has no trouble smothering large trees.

Orange Co., NC 9/2/09.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

The alternate leaves have three large, lobed leaflets.

Orange Co., NC 9/2/09.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

Purplish flowers appear in late summer and perfume the air with the scent of grape Kool-Aid. Really! The flowers are a popular nectar source for butterflies and bees.

Orange Co., NC 9/2/09.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

Orange Co., NC 9/2/09.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

The flowers are soon followed by elongate, flat pods. Fortunately, Kudzu spreads almost exclusively vegetatively here — the seeds usually do not sprout.

Orange Co., NC 9/2/09.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

Chapel Hill, NC 9/30/05.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

Chapel Hill, NC 9/30/05.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

Orange Co., NC 9/2/09.

More information:
Floridata
Global Invasive Species Database
PCA Alien Plant Working Group
USDA PLANTS Database
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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