Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray....

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Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray

Transcript of Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray....

Page 1: Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray. Presentation Outline Basic Overview of Plant History of Plant’s Use Three Parts

Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray

Page 2: Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray. Presentation Outline Basic Overview of Plant History of Plant’s Use Three Parts

Presentation Outline

  Basic Overview of Plant   History of Plant’s Use   Three Parts of the Kudzu Vine that I find

really interesting: 1.  Paraheliotropic Movement of Leaves 2.  Reproduction 3.  Control Mechanisms

Page 3: Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray. Presentation Outline Basic Overview of Plant History of Plant’s Use Three Parts

Basic Overview of Kudzu

  Latin name: Pueraria montana   Plant Family: Fabaceae   Origin: China   Can Grow 60 ft per year   Roots: tuberous, reach

soil depth of 3-9 ft   Leaves: Trifoliate   Flower: Purple   Seeds: Three per fruit

Page 4: Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray. Presentation Outline Basic Overview of Plant History of Plant’s Use Three Parts

Uses in China

  Fiber for Clothes (leaves)

  Medicinal Uses (roots)

  Livestock Feed (leaves)

  Alcohol Brewing

  Soil Erosion Management

Page 5: Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray. Presentation Outline Basic Overview of Plant History of Plant’s Use Three Parts

Original Use in the United States

 Came to the United States in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition

 Admired for Aesthetic qualities

 Used as ornamental piece

Page 6: Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray. Presentation Outline Basic Overview of Plant History of Plant’s Use Three Parts

Developing Role in the United States

  Became important device for preventing soil erosion between 1930-1940

  However, it grew out of control. In 1950, it was banned as a preventative for soil erosion.

  By 1970, Kudzu was officially listed as a weed.

  By 1997, it was placed on Invasive and Noxious Weed List

Page 7: Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray. Presentation Outline Basic Overview of Plant History of Plant’s Use Three Parts

Paraheliotropic Movement in Leaves

  Leaves move parallel to the sun’s position.

  Allows the leaves to:   Not absorb sunrays that

they can’t photosynthesize

  Not overheat. Its leaves are 5-6°C cooler than leaves that do not practice paraheliotropism.

  Reduce water loss by 26% (Foresth and Innis 2004).

  Provide sunlight to second layer leaves.

Page 8: Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray. Presentation Outline Basic Overview of Plant History of Plant’s Use Three Parts

Reproduction without Seed Germination

 Ability to root wherever stems hit the surface  After short time period (~3 years), newly formed

kudzu plant breaks away, forming independent plant.

 Without this adaptation, kudzu would depend on seed germination

  Their seeds require seed scarification (mechanically broken down by hand, fire, or acid)

 Seed Germination success rate 7-17% (Foresth and Innis 2004).

Page 9: Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” · Kudzu: “The vine that ate the South” By Trip Wray. Presentation Outline Basic Overview of Plant History of Plant’s Use Three Parts

Regulating the Growth of the Kudzu Vine

  The United States lacks adequate amount of natural, kudzu predators and pathogens.

  Scientists are testing new herbicides, insects, and even GOATS!

  None have been successful in the long term, however.

  Problem is that the United States has to be careful of not introducing a new predator that would damage ecosystems even more.