The Vine that Ate the South

Nearly Everywhere

It's green. It's big. It's hungry. What is it? Kudzu. According to Internet research I've done, the vine often grows at a rate of a foot a day. As we traveled throughout the southern states, we saw it quite frequently by the side of the highway—a green blanket covering everything, trees, telephone poles, you name it. It's not a native species, in fact it originated in Japan and China. So how did it get here?

It all started at the U.S. Centennial Exposition in 1876, when Japan had a display including kudzu. From there the vine became quite popular, promoted as a forage crop and also for ornamental purposes. The Civilian Conservation Corps even planted it, and was considered a good cover plant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

However, years later, people finally realized that this amazing vine was actually taking over! It grew everywhere, and it wasn't until 1953 that it was recognized as a pest weed. Today they are trying to contain the boundless vine, and although we didn't see them there, I have heard that they are using goats to eat the kudzu foliage in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Sometimes it's said that southerners close their windows at night to keep the kudzu from growing in, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's true in some places. Other names for kudzu include "mile-a-minute vine," "foot-a-night vine", and my sister's favorite, "the vine that ate the south." It is certainly an unsightly plant, and hopefully something will be discovered soon that will remedy this problem.

After reading about this terrifying plant, aren't you glad it hasn't gotten to Texas yet? I was until I read this webpage.

For more information about kudzu, look at The Amazing Story of Kudzu.