Kudzu is a native plant of Japan, which is also very present in the southern United States due to its import in the early 19th century as a ground cover plant. Kudzu is a climbing plant known for its incredible speed of growth; capable of growing around 30cm per day, the plant has a reputation for being one of the most invasive plants in the world. Learning how to recognize it will give you the chance to avoid a kudzu invasion of your garden. This is the first thing to do to be able to keep kudzu under control.
Steps
Step 1. See if you see trifoliate leaves or leaves joined at 3 for each node
All 3 leaves will be attached to the stem via their own petiole or stem. The petiole of the central leaf will be about 2 cm long, while the other two leaves have much shorter petioles.
Step 2. See if you see medium green egg-shaped leaves
Generally, the central leaf will have 3 lobes or rounded projections. The other 2 leaves often have 2 lobes. However, the structure of the kudzu's lobe can vary and many leaves may have no lobe at all. The leaves can become very large and reach up to 15 cm in length.
Step 3. Touch the leaves to see if they are hairy
Kudzu leaves usually have very short hairs and are consequently hairy to the touch.
Step 4. Check for hidden climbing plants with small brown hairs on the ground that rise vertically and form dense piles of leaves
The main feature of kudzu is their great ability to grow; they can increase by 30 cm per day at times when they are better. Kudzu sometimes completely cover tall trees, poles, or other structures. As they grow, climbing plants become large and very hardy. Kudzu can climb for any type of support and even crawl along the ground, taking root all over the place.
Step 5. Check for reddish or purple flowers clustered in clusters
Kudzus bloom in late spring, usually in August or September in the United States. The flowers form a cluster (called a raceme) that can grow up to 20 cm in height and emerge from the central petiole of a group of leaves.
Step 6. Measure the seed pods with a ruler
Usually those of the kudzu have a length of about 5 cm.
Step 7. Check the hairs of the pods
