ExplorePlants

Kudzu

Pueraria montana

Kudzu is a fast-growing vine that can cover trees, buildings, and even the ground with its green leaves. It's known for its ability to spread quickly and create dense thickets.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Kudzu is a fast-growing, woody vine known for its large, three-part leaves, often carpeting entire landscapes. Its distinctive purple, pea-like flowers grow in upright clusters and emit a sweet, grape-like scent.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusPueraria
Kudzu
deciduous trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badgefruit_bearing trait badge
Kudzu

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

It was first introduced to America as a beautiful ornamental plant at a world's fair.

Its beautiful purple flowers smell exactly like sweet grape candy or muscadine grapes!

Kudzu roots can grow massive, some weighing over 400 pounds!

People use kudzu to make paper, flour, jelly, and even strong woven baskets.

Special abilities

Ability

Rapid Growth Spurt

Kudzu can grow up to a foot a day to quickly cover vast areas and outcompete other plants for sunlight.

Ability

Soil Enrichment

Kudzu has special root nodules that fix nitrogen from the air, enriching the soil and boosting its rapid growth.

Ability

Super Sprouter

Kudzu can sprout new roots from stem nodes, allowing it to spread aggressively and form new plants from broken pieces.

Measurements & details

Height
10-3000 cm
Spread
100-3000 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eats

Kudzu bug

Megacopta cribraria

Feeds on kudzu sap and leaves, sometimes causing damage.

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits its purple flowers for nectar, producing kudzu honey.

eaten by

White-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Deer often browse on young kudzu shoots and leaves.

symbiotic with

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Lives in its roots to provide nitrogen, fueling its rapid growth.

Traits

Also known as

Japanese ArrowrootSouthern Vine

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Avoid touching or eating kudzu as it can be harmful if consumed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Kudzu?

10-3000 cm

How wide does Kudzu spread?

100-3000 cm

How big are the flowers on Kudzu?

1-2 cm

When does Kudzu bloom?

Summer

Is Kudzu edible?

Yes

Is Kudzu toxic?

None

What is Kudzu's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Kudzu pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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