Kudzu: Identifying Characteristics
Size/Form:
Kudzu is a climbing, twining, or trailing aggressive vine that can grow up to 100 feet long with a large tap root and rhizomes. It can produce impenetrable masses and completely engulf vegetation and buildings.
Leaves:
The leaves of kudzu are compound, alternate, and deciduous. Each leaf has a long petiole and three leaflets up to 5 inches long and is hairy on both the upper and lower surface. The lateral leaflets usually have two lobes with a notch on the outermost margin. The terminal leaflet is typically three lobed with a notch on either side of the leaflet.
Flowers:
The flowers of kudzu are reddish-purple, fragrant, and pea-like up to 1 inch wide and are clustered together on a stalk that can be up to 7 inches long.
Fruit:
The fruit is a legume up to 3 inches long that is dark brown and covered in long golden-brown hairs. Each legume can hold up to 10 seeds.