Transcript Kudzu

Effects On Native
Vegetation
•extremely rapid growth rate and habit of growing over objects threatens natural areas by killing native
vegetation through crowding and shading and basically chokes native vegetation
• vines kill trees through girdling and the added weight of vines can lead to uprooting trees.
• kudzu blankets the floor with its vines and runners and prevents the growth of any new trees
• indigenous animals lose a great proportion of their natural food source.
•Kudzu takes over farm fields and destroys many valuable crop plants. Such as its relative the soybean
which leaves farmers with no way to control it without risking their crop
•Many of the pesticides, such as Tordon, used to rid Kudzu have a lasting effect on the native vegetation
through seeping into the soil
•Kudzu has massive tap roots 7 inches or more in diameter, 6 feet or more in length, and weighing as
much as 400 pounds
Severity of the
Problem









Also known as “the vegetable form of cancer”
Causes huge loses in agriculture
power companies in the South devote around
$1.5 million a year to controlling kudzu
infestations
Where productive forest land has been
overtaken, lost productivity is estimated at $48
per acre per year
Kudzu control costs exceed $200 per acre per
year for five years.
Mostly made of water so is hard to burn out
Can transmit foreign disease and parasites
In Mississippi, it is estimated that the forestry
industry loses over $20 million a year because
land which could be used for forestry is
infested with kudzu
Grows 7+ feet / week, 1+ foot / day and grows
50 feet in one growing season
The Geography of Kudzu
 In the U.S:
 Kudzu can be found in
the southeastern U.S,
as far south as Key
West, Florida, and as
far North as
Pennsylvania
 Kudzu can also be found in the Clackamas
and Multnomah counties of Oregon
Local Geography
 Kudzu can grow on just about anything:
Method of Destrution







Covers anything in its path blocking out sunlight to plants
Competes with native species for food and territory
Invasions can be accidental or intentional
Can change predator/ prey relationships
Damage to ecosystems and economy
Some other problems, food chain disruption, reduced biodiversity, clogging of water
intakes, increased weed growth, and is hard to eliminate without causing harm to other
species
How do you get rid of kudzu? You don’t! Roots grow over 10 feet deep. Each seed pod
has 100 seeds and can blow miles away and can germinate in just about in conditions.
Benefits of Kudzu







Can be used as a supplement to help lower cravings of alcohol
Used in Chinese medicine to treat angina
Helps with alergies, headaches, and digestive problems
Erosion control
The nutritious leaves are high in vitamins C and A
Kudzu vines can be woven into baskets and furniture
Kudzu powder or kudzu root tea is used to treat a wide array of
ailments such as inflammation, hangovers, sexual apathy,
indigestion, respiratory disorders, headaches, sinus troubles,
muscle stiffness, kidney trouble, breast-feeding complications, and
skin rashes.
 Kudzu can be used to reclaim poor agricultural land where fertility
has diminished and weeds are abundant. Kudzu will out compete
weeds as well as return nutrients and biomass to the soil.