Sunday, September 6, 2009

Big Green Monster of the South

Whole fields have been taken other by the green monster.

The bane of the South was introduced to the US in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. As part of the exposition the Japanese government constructed a garden filled with plants indigenous to their country. American gardeners were captivated by kudzu's large leaves and sweet blooms and began using it as a ornamental plant in their own gardens.

It can be used as feed for animals. Medicines may one day be made from it. Its supple vine can be utilized to make baskets. The blossoms can be made into jellies and syrups.

The Soil Conservation Service advocated the use of kudzu for control of soil erosion in the 1930s. During the Depression, jobs were given to hundreds of men to plant the vine. Farmers were offered incentives to plant fields of it in the 1940s.

I saw this sign the other evening when I was on my way to a nearby
grocery store. It's almost completely eaten up.


Unfortunately, the climate of the Southeastern US proved too beneficial for kudzu. During the summer, its vines can grow as much as a foot a day. They climb trees, power poles, cover abandoned structures, anything they come in contact with. Under perfect conditions they can grow as much as 60 feet a year. Whole forests have been choked to death because the kudzu prevents the trees from getting any sunlight. The vines are almost indestructible taking between 4 to 10 years to be completely destroyed by herbicides.

I thought those of you who don't live here in the South might like to know a little more about where I live. As for me, I hate seeing the stuff take over trees and hillsides.

17 comments:

  1. Kudzu is a curse! It's from India, I think, originally? The one thing that helps control it is goats and horses. They love the stuff. :) Good photos, by the way. Very sharp and clear.
    Have a great Sunday pal! :)

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  2. Wow.. something they didn't anticipate, eh? Makes for great photos, though. Hearty things.

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  3. Wow...I am familiar with Kudzu but had NO IDEA it was so invasive! UGH...if it keeps trees and other things from thriving!

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  4. I have seen it when I have been down south. As a matter of fact I thought I might have seen it along the Wabash River in my county. SCARY.

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  5. Wow,...I've never heard of it. That is one crazy plant! Can't believe how it takes over. Pretty, actually...but I can see how it's invasive character would be irritating! Maybe you could plant it in your yard instead of grass...no more mowing! ha! But in a matter of months, you couldn't find your house!

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  6. Kudzu is certainly alive and well here. When I am on my way back to Atlanta I always am amazed at the amount of it. There are lots of shapes like animals made out of the kudzu on I-20. At least it's green and pretty, but I hate it that it hurts other things. Maybe they can bring some good from it.

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  7. Wow, never knew about this stuff. Like the others said, it sure is pretty though.

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  8. I go back and forth about it - but then again I don't own land near any. I like seeing it better than bare land.

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  9. It has been found that extract of the roots from the kudzu creeper had a potential to curtail unfavourable signs of metabolic syndrome. It has been experimented on rats and no side-effects has been found. But since it still not been experimented on humans, scientists have not yet recommended it for people.

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  10. You now me, I love everything that grows, but I do also agree that sometimes, some plants just have to be controlled.
    In some ways, I love the wild, almost jungle like look though.;))

    We have similar problems here with a plant called "The Bear Claw", it spreads with light speed, killing out all other plants. And it isn't half as lovely as the vine here.;))

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  11. Our friend Bill worked on a film down in GA and thought kudzu was a fabulous idea ... and then he learned what it could do ... exemplifies the term pretty poison

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  12. I've always loved how kudzu smells... kind of grape-y.

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  13. Ugh, I hate kudzu, it is insidious! And a lot of work to clear out. I hate when it "eats" ponds and things.

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  14. ...One thing I never knew about it was that you could make jam or jelly out of it...what does it taste like?

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  15. Don't send that kudzo up here! We have enough virulent weeds...lol

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  16. I am originally from GA, have lived in the San Francisco area now for 32 years. I was just recently home to visit my 85-year-old mother in Columbus. I thought of pulling off the interstate on the drive from Atlanta, just to photograph the kudzu ( folks in the city by the Bay just wouldn't believe it! ). Thanks for the photo!!

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  17. Sorry, I didn't mean to be anonymous....

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I'm glad you stopped by and I look forward to your comments. As Dr. Fraser Crane would say, "Hello, I'm listening."