Characteristics and Benefits
One of the greatest characteristics of kudzu is its ability to spread and
grow quickly. It can cover all kinds of structures like telephone poles, houses
cars, and trees. The plant can grow as much as a foot a day, and because the south
tends to have mild winters, the plant is not killed during that season. The plant’s
stems that come into contact with the ground will even take root and and establish
new colonies, which accounts for the rapid spread of the organism. Some shoots
have even been know to grow as much as 70 feet in one season. Kudzu also
has the ability to grow in very acidic and harsh soil conditions because it can
produce the nitrogen that it needs and not take it from soil. It also adds nutrients
to soils that have been used for planting which greatly aids in building back up
nutrient depleted soil. Kudzu also has medicinal value, and the Japanese use it in
making paper, clothing, and different foods. As stated earlier, the vine also aids in
controlling erosion and is a food for livestock. Kudzu’s unique characteristics
allow it to contribute many different benefits to the world.