photo from the National Parks Service
Kudzu Facts:
The problems Kudzu causes result from its rapid growth and its tendency to climb over trees or shrubs, killing them by heavy shading.
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) is a large, trifoliate-leaved, semi-woody, trailing or climbing perennial vine that belongs to the legume family. The vines may grow up to 60 feet in a single season. In the early summer, the vines may grow as much as 1 foot during a single day. This vine growth is supported by starchy, tuberous roots that can reach a depth of 12 feet in older patches and weigh 200 to 300 pounds. It will grow on a wide range of soil types, but it does best on deep, loamy soils (as opposed to very light sands or poorly drained, heavy clay soils). It has been planted using either seed or vine cuttings or by transplanting root crowns.
Kudzu first appeared in the United States in 1876 as a display at the
Plant Exhibition of the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. It was later displayed
in 1883 at the New Orleans Exposition. In the late 1800s, kudzu was used as an
ornamental vine to shade the porches and courtyards of southern homes.
Kudzu was appreciated for the grape-like fragrance of its flowers and because of its
vigorous growth
photos courtesy of Jack Anthony. For more photos, visit his web site link
below
Unbelievable But True:
At the turn of the century, kudzu was available through mail-order catalogs. By 1905, through the efforts of Mr. C. E. Pleas of Chipley, Florida, kudzu was promoted as an inexpensive forage for livestock.
In the 1930s, kudzu reached the height of its prominence. The Soil Erosion Service, established by Congress in 1933 (later renamed the Soil Conservation Service) was charged to reduce soil erosion in the South caused by improper agricultural practices and extensive cotton production. About 85 million kudzu seedlings were given to southern landowners by the Soil Erosion Service for land revitalization and to reduce soil erosion. The Civilian Conservation Corps also planted kudzu throughout the South. The Government offered up to $8 per acre as an incentive for farmers to plant their land in kudzu. About 3 million acres of kudzu had been planted on farms by 1946.
Into Every Dream some Rain Must Fall:
By the early 1950s, kudzu had largely become a nuisance. It had spread rapidly throughout the South because of the long growing season, warm climate, plentiful rainfall, and lack of disease and insect enemies. It was recognized as a problem caused by the introduction of a species outside its normal habitat, without its usual predators. In 1953, the United States Department of Agriculture removed kudzu from the list of cover plants permissible under the Agricultural Conservation Program. In 1962, the Soil Conservation Service limited its recommendation of kudzu to areas far removed from developed areas. Finally, in 1970, USDA listed kudzu as a common weed in the South.
Today, an estimated 7 million acres of land in the Southeast is infested with kudzu. . The infestation spreads as far north as Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Connecticut and as far west as eastern Texas and central Oklahoma. The heaviest infestations are in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.
Can't get enough
Kudzu?
Visit Some Fun Kudzu web sites:
Visit Kudzu Kingdom to learn how you can earn up to $1,000.00 with your kudzu patch
See some amazing Kudzu photos at Jack Anthony's web site
Get some tasty Kudzu recipes at the Kudzu Cuisine web site
Learn how to grow Kudzu and get yourself a Kudzu jelly recipe at the Southern Delights web site
And don't miss the Krazy Kudzu Products web site for baskets, art, poems and other delights!
The UpState's own Nancy Basket
creates beautiful kudzu paper collages and conducts school demonstrations of her art.
Contact Nancy at Kudzu Kabin Designs, 1105 East Main Street, Walhalla, SC 21691
phone 864-718-8864
All
kidding side:
REMEMBER: Kudzu can kill. The problems Kudzu causes result from its
rapid growth and its tendency to climb over trees or shrubs, killing them by heavy
shading. If you have a kudzu problem, call or email and ask us for a free
estimate. We can control your kudzu.
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