Kudzu..the scourge of the south

[Ronni]

Kudzu is an extremely invasive species of vine that takes over anywhere it grows. Kudzu (Pueraria montana), often called the "vine that ate the South". It’s originally from Asia, but was introduced here in the US in the late 19th century, it was SUPPOSED to be for erosion control. But over time it’s become a significant ecological and economic problem in the southeastern United States.

It’s taken over a bunch of trees and shrubs in a wooded area just down the street from our house!

When you drive the country roads here you’ll see it everywhere! Here’s what it looks like.


In these next couple of pictures the tall things are actually trees that have been completely overtaken by kudzu.

As you can see, it’s so invasive!! That last photo had the kudzu traveling across the gravel driveway, trying to obliterate it.

Cold temps herald a cessation of the kudzu onslaught. But the bones of it are still there, ready to activate as soon as milder temps prevail! By winter all those trees will be bare, and the vines will have shrunk to the point that it’s possible to believe they have never been.

But they’re there, just waiting for the warmer weather to spring to life and begin their invasion all over again. Each year their tentacles stretch longer and further, making it entirely possible to believe they will one day take over everything!!!

 

[ChiroDoc]

You're right. I'm on the Miss. Gulf Coast, and I do see it occasionally. It seems worse in Alabama. It'll take over a cotton field if it's allowed to. I imagine herbicides can control it though.

 

[Nathan]

Yea, driving from Clemson SC up to Greensboro NC the Kudzu was all along the Hwy. Looked like they were spraying herbicide to control it, too bad the trees were getting nuked too.

 

[Muskrat]

I have always been curious…do goats eat it?

 

[Nathan]

I have always been curious…do goats eat it?

I can't imagine anything that goats wouldn't eat. That said, many people have contemplated recipes for Kudzu:

The Weird and Wonderful Ways You Can Cook with Kudzu (Really!)

 

[Babs2u]

I'm in metro Atlanta; It has taken over the vacant lot down the street.

 

[Imogene]

I don’t have enough swear words for that crap

they spray along the state highway, and while thst holds the kudzu at bay for a short time, it’s impossible to kill all of that stuff. I think it’s got to be pulled up by the roots and get all the roots to get rid of it.

I have read online that some farmers like it for their cattle. I find that really hard to believe.

As far as goats eating it, if I am to believe the Internet, goats find Kazu palatable and they will eat it. But you can’t turn them loose up and down the state highway so the sides of the state highway get sprayed.

 

[MoBeans]

In Natchez Mississippi we saw the kudzu crew in charge of kudzu control. They looked totally overwhelmed.

 

[MountainRa]

We have a kudzu artist in our area. She makes greeting cards from kudzu leaf pulp. Finished product looks like paper. Also beautiful baskets from the vine. And a jelly from the small blossom on the plant in Spring. Tastes like grape jelly.

Still, it’s an awful plant and you never want to find it on your property .