Kudzu

Pueraria lobata

© Mandy Tu/The Nature Conservancy


© John M. Randall/The Nature Conservancy


Description

High-climbing vine with six- to eight-inch long leaves that are alternate and compound and have a trio of fuzzy, deeply-lobed leaflets. Purple to red flowers, which appear in midsummer, are pea-like, hang in large clusters and have a grape-like smell. Newer stems are velvety, becoming smooth and brown in color with maturity, eventually forming a fine scaly bark. Vines can grow up to 100-feet in length.

Habitat

Forest edges, abandoned fields, roadsides, disturbed areas with abundant sunlight

Distribution

Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, OR

Impacts

Degrades native and desirable plants by smothering them

Dispersal Methods

Wind, water and animals

Prevention

Look for kudzu along forest edges and disturbed areas with abundant sunlight.

Listings

ODA's A List and OISC 100 Most Dangerous Invaders

Factsheets

USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet from the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual

Photos

Photos from The Nature Conservancy
Photos from Forestry Images

Distribution Map

Distribution in Oregon No Distribution Map for Washington Available

Other Links

Species Profile from the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Noxious Weed Control Program
Species Profile from the USDA PLANTS Database (Provides several links to other useful sites on Kudzu)
Fire Effects Information System Online (this site gives an overview of ecosystems vulnerable to kudzu invasion)