Kudzu

[Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr.]

Fabaceae (Bean Family)

▲ ▼ kudzu climbing over 30' tall tree in Springfield, MO

▲ kudzu trifoliate leaves

▲ kudzu flower cluster

▲ kudzu seed pods

 

Kudzu:   (pp. 232-233, Weeds of the Northeast; pp. 320-321, Weeds of the Great Plains)

• a vining simple perennial legume with tuberous roots introduced from Asia

• leaves are trifoliate, large; flowers are pink to white in large panicles

• very rapid and rampant growthC capable of covering tall trees in a growing season

• we are on very northern fringe of its winter hardiness range