A native of Asia, Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) is among the most widespread and abundant invasive weeds in the eastern United States. Although its stronghold in North America is in the southeastern United States, its range extends into the northeastern and northcentral United States as well. The deciduous vines arise from massive perennial starchy root crowns, which can reach down to 4 m deep in the soil and weigh up to 136 kg. These massive roots provide energy for rapid initial growth in spring. Kudzu dies back to the ground after a hard freeze, but maximal growth rate in spring has been reported to be around 0.3 m per day and a plant may grow 20 to 30 m in a growing season. The fragrant purple flowers typically appear only on vines that are growing vertically on some support. Flowers occur on pseudoracemes, unusual inflorescences in which multiple flowers emerge from each bract axil.
Before Kudzu's invasive potential was recognized, it was repeatedly introduced into the southeastern United States for use as an ornamental and forage crop and for erosion control (Mitich 2000). Its subsequent rapid spread occurred despite conspicuously low seed set. Plants rarely flower before their third year and in some North American populations flowering is rarely if ever observed. In other areas, vines produce many flowers, but these often yield low numbers of seed pods or seed pods containing few seeds. In North America, many Kudzu populations sustain heavy losses to seed predators. Harvey (2009) documented the presence of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) in Kudzu underneath the lateral floral peduncles. He speculated that documented herbivore-induced low seed set might result from a disruption of the protection normally afforded by ants attracted to EFNs. The atypical, near-monospecific stands of Kudzu in its introduced range may support a low diversity of ants or the ant species that typically visit Kudzu EFNs in its introduced range may not be as effective as those in its native range at finding or using the EFNs or are otherwise less effective as herbivore deterrents.
Kudzu is widely viewed as a seriously invasive plant in the United States, covering (often densely) over 1.2 to 2.8 million ha and this area has been estimated to be increasing on the order of 50,000 ha per year. Over time, Kudzu can cover large areas of potentially productive forest and farmland, resulting in estimated losses of $100 to 500 million per year. It is not yet clear what, if any, impact the recent arrival in the southeastern United States of the plataspid bug Megacopta cribraria (one of many herbivores feeding on Kudzu in Asia) may have on Kudzu (or other native and non-native hosts, including Soybean). If M. cribraria depletes Kudzu root reserves and reduces its ability to climb, this could benefit southern forests as well as farmers, utility companies, and railroads that must deal with Kudzu encroaching on their land, climbing utility poles, and growing across their tracks.
Kudzu is a common food crop in Java, Sumatra, and Malay, is well adapted to Puerto Rico, and grows in scattered parts of South America (Mitich 2000). Keung (2002) reviewed the entire genus Pueraria (which includes around 15 species).
(Mitich 2000 and references therein; Keung 2002; Harvey 2009 and references therein; Zhang et al. 2012 and references therein)
Kudzu is a climbing or trailing, herbaceous to semiwoody, nonnative, deciduous, perennial vine or liana. The compound leaves are 2 to 8 inches (5-20 cm) long [37,45]. Flowers are 0.8 to 1 inch (2-2.5 cm) long and are borne on 4- to 8-inch-long (10-20 cm) axillary racemes [37]. Seeds are produced in 1.6- to 2-inch (4-5 cm) long pods [37,45].
Kudzu exhibits a strong diurnal pattern in leaflet orientation, enabling plants to adjust the intensity of incident radiation upon exposed leaflets by altering their axial position relative to the sun. This trait results in comparatively reduced leaf temperatures and transpirational water loss during periods of intense mid-day summer sunlight, and may improve plant water-use efficiency [14,64]. This trait may also improve light penetration in kudzu-dominated tree canopies, enhancing the specie's ability to maintain high leaf areas. High leaf area in arboreal kudzu maximizes photosynthesis and enhances kudzu's ability to compete for light [64].
Kudzu accumulates and maintains substantial carbon reserves in large woody, tuberous roots. Roots can grow to 12 feet (3.6 meters) long in sandy soils and can weigh up to several hundred pounds [33]. Because of its large and deeply growing taproot, kudzu can withstand substantial periods of drought [66]. Deep roots also enable kudzu to maintain relatively high xylem water potentials throughout the hottest part of the day [64].
Kudzu is considered a semiwoody perennial because it exhibits 2 strategies for overwintering. The trailing, prostrate stems found in open areas die back to the root crown following the 1st frost. Stems that climb vertically, such as those invading a forest edge, often overwinter in the canopy. Overwintering vines develop thick bark, accumulate annual rings of vascular tissue, and can attain > 0.8-inch (2 cm) stem diameters [44,57]. North American kudzu apparently produces overwintering stems only on vigorous, climbing plants, but in Japan kudzu produces overwintering stems even on prostrate plants [57].
Growth habit: Vines climb by twining the stem around a support such as the bole of a tree [6]. Spread of kudzu through forested areas may be accelerated by other vines such as Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), since kudzu can more easily twine around smaller diameter vines than around bare tree trunks [33,35].
Kudzu originated in China and was brought to the United States from Japan in the late 1800s [34,66]. It is distributed throughout much of the eastern United States and is most common in the South. It occurs from Nebraska, Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts south to Florida and Texas. Kudzu also occurs in Hawaii [2,15,19,20,23,24,25,38,45,49,50,53,59]. Estimated kudzu cover in the Southeast is 7 million acres (2.8 million hectares), with the most extensive infestations in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia [51]. The Plants database provides a distributional map of kudzu.
Kudzu has periodically been reported in areas disjunct from the above description, but has not become established in any of these areas as of this writing (2002) [66]. It has recently been discovered near Portland, Oregon, and efforts to eradicate the population are underway [54].
The following biogeographic classification systems are presented as a guide to demonstrate where kudzu could potentially be found. Because the ecology of kudzu in North America has not been extensively studied, precise distribution information is lacking. Therefore these lists are somewhat speculative and may not be exhaustive or complete.
Fire adaptations: Kudzu escapes fire damage by maintaining perennating root crowns beneath the soil surface [43]. Kudzu stems and foliage are likely to resist fire damage during the growing season because they typically maintain high water content. Even during drought when nearby plants may be susceptible to fire due to desiccation, kudzu's deep taproot allows the plant to maintain a relatively high water content [64,66].
Soil heating as a result of fire may promote seed germination by scarifying the seedcoat, allowing water to penetrate into the seed [33,39,55,56]. In addition, dry kudzu litter can provide substantial fuel for dormant-season surface fires, perhaps providing a positive feedback in promoting seed germination. More research is needed to help understand the role of fire in promoting kudzu seed germination and postfire seedling establishment.
FIRE REGIMES: Because kudzu tends to be more opportunistic than predictable in its occurrence, it is difficult to ascribe particular FIRE REGIMES to it. To the extent that abundant, moist, green kudzu foliage can inhibit fire, kudzu may alter historic FIRE REGIMES by lengthening fire return intervals. Conversely, substantial fuel loading from dense mats of kudzu litter may enhance dormant-season fire potential. Additionally, the presence of kudzu in forest canopies may provide ladder fuels that enhance the likelihood of crown fires, particularly in areas where frequent surface fires may otherwise maintain seral pine or oak dominants. As kudzu invades shrub and forest communities, increases in standing and ground-layer fuels from dead woody plants that have succumbed to invasion could also increase fire intensity and severity. These scenarios are speculative. However, if kudzu continues as an important presence on the landscape, more research is need to determine how kudzu affects the fire ecology of native communities and ecosystems.
The following table lists fire return intervals for communities or ecosystems throughout North America where kudzu may occur. This list is meant as a guideline to illustrate historic FIRE REGIMES and is not to be interpreted as a strict description of FIRE REGIMES for kudzu. Find further fire regime information for the plant communities in which this species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under "Find FIRE REGIMES".
Community or Ecosystem Dominant Species Fire Return Interval Range (years) maple-beech-birch Acer-Fagus-Betula > 1000 silver maple-American elm A. saccharinum-Ulmus americana sugar maple A. saccharum > 1000 sugar maple-basswood A. saccharum-Tilia americana > 1000 [62] bluestem prairie Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii-Schizachyrium scoparium 26,41] bluestem-Sacahuista prairie A. littoralis-Spartina spartinae 41] mangrove Avicennia nitida-Rhizophora mangle 35-200 [40] sugarberry-America elm-green ash Celtis laevigata-Ulmus americana-Fraxinus pennsylvanica Atlantic white-cedar Chamaecyparis thyoides 35 to > 200 [62] northern cordgrass prairie Distichlis spicata-Spartina spp. 1-3 [41] beech-sugar maple Fagus spp.-Acer saccharum > 1000 black ash Fraxinus nigra yellow-poplar Liriodendron tulipifera 62] Everglades Mariscus jamaicensis melaleuca Melaleuca quinquenervia 40] shortleaf pine Pinus echinata 2-15 shortleaf pine-oak P. echinata-Quercus spp. slash pine P. elliottii 3-8 slash pine-hardwood P. elliottii-variable sand pine P. elliottii var. elliottii 25-45 [62] South Florida slash pine P. elliottii var. densa 1-5 [16,40] longleaf-slash pine P. palustris-P. elliottii 1-4 [40,62] longleaf pine-scrub oak P. palustris-Quercus spp. 6-10 [62] pitch pine P. rigida 6-25 [5,22] pocosin P. serotina 3-8 pond pine P. serotina 3-8 eastern white pine P. strobus 35-200 eastern white pine-eastern hemlock P. strobus-Tsuga canadensis 35-200 eastern white pine-northern red oak-red maple P. strobus-Quercus rubra-Acer rubrum 35-200 loblolly pine P. taeda 3-8 loblolly-shortleaf pine P. taeda-P. echinata 10 to Virginia pine P. virginiana 10 to Virginia pine-oak P. virginiana-Quercus spp. 10 to sycamore-sweetgum-American elm Platanus occidentalis-Liquidambar styraciflua-Ulmus americana 62] eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides 41] black cherry-sugar maple Prunus serotina-Acer saccharum > 1000 oak-hickory Quercus-Carya spp. northeastern oak-pine Quercus-Pinus spp. 10 to 62] oak-gum-cypress Quercus-Nyssa-spp.-Taxodium distichum 35 to > 200 [40] southeastern oak-pine Quercus-Pinus spp. white oak-black oak-northern red oak Q. alba-Q. velutina-Q. rubra bear oak Q. ilicifolia bur oak Q. macrocarpa 62] oak savanna Q. macrocarpa/Andropogon gerardii-Schizachyrium scoparium 2-14 [41,62] chestnut oak Q. prinus 3-8 northern red oak Q. rubra 10 to post oak-blackjack oak Q. stellata-Q. marilandica black oak Q. velutina live oak Q. virginiana 10 to62] cabbage palmetto-slash pine Sabal palmetto-Pinus elliottii 40,62] Fayette prairie Schizachyrium scoparium-Buchloe dactyloides southern cordgrass prairie Spartina alterniflora 1-3 [41] baldcypress Taxodium distichum var. distichum 100 to > 300 pondcypress T. distichum var. nutans 40] eastern hemlock-yellow birch Tsuga canadensis-Betula alleghaniensis > 200 [62] elm-ash-cottonwood Ulmus-Fraxinus-Populus spp. 9,62]Kudzu is typically found in open, disturbed areas such as abandoned fields, roadsides, and forest edges [14,61]. Spread is most rapid in open areas, and is slowed as kudzu encounters the shade of a forest edge [44]. Kudzu monocultures typically contain thousands of individual plants per acre [33].
Kudzu is most prolific in areas where winters are mild (40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (4-16 °C)), summer temperatures rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 °C), the growing season is long, and annual precipitation is > 40 inches (1,000 mm) [51,66]. Kudzu thrives in areas that experience abundant sunny weather during the growing season. Growth rates up to 3 times greater have been demonstrated on sunny days, compared to overcast conditions. Photosynthesis is not inhibited by high temperatures until 86 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (30-35 °C) [64].
Kudzu grows on a variety of soil types [51,66], but performs best on deep, well-drained, loamy soils [61]. Because kudzu is a nitrogen-fixing plant, it is likely to be competitive on nitrogen-deficient sites [33].
Impacts: Kudzu invasion can have severe negative impacts on native plant communities. Because of its rapid growth rate and habit of growing over objects in its path, kudzu can outcompete native plants and quickly dominate habitats where it becomes established [61]. Kudzu infestations are typified by a continuous blanket of monospecific foliage resulting in large-scale alteration of biotic communities [51]. Patches larger than 100 acres (40 ha) now exist in some areas of the South [36]. Plant densities in mature stands may be 1-2 plants per square foot or tens of thousands of plants per acre [11].
Spreading kudzu infestations can eliminate forest cover by enveloping trees along margins of wooded areas. Trees of any size may succumb to competition from arboreal kudzu vines, whose prodigious foliage reduces light availability within the canopy. Infested trees, especially shade-intolerant species such as native pines, are weakened from reduced carbon fixation. Additionally, the accumulation of several years' worth of vines draped within tree crowns provides enough downward tension that even large trees can be pulled to the ground. Once kudzu has gained access to the forest canopy, it is capable of spreading more quickly and aggressively throughout a contiguously forested area during subsequent growing seasons [33]. Presence of Japanese honeysuckle and other arboreal vines can exacerbate kudzu invasiveness. Because kudzu climbs by twining, it can ascend and spread into a forest canopy faster and more extensively by utilizing smaller-diameter vines rather than having to twine around larger-diameter tree boles [33,35].
Kudzu has been characterized as "perhaps the largest nonwoody weed problem in forest management in the South" [36]. Kudzu infestation can be costly to commercial timber producers by severely impacting productivity. While eradication treatments can be expensive, allowing kudzu to continue spreading only increases the acreage impacted and increases the difficulty (and expense) of eradicating older, denser, more intractable infestations [35].
Control: Because kudzu is so invasive, control is best equated with kudzu eradication [32,34]. To ensure complete eradication from a site and prevent reinvasion, every root crown must be killed [34]. Well-established stands may require as long as ten years to eradicate [61].
Kudzu eradication becomes increasingly difficult with increasing age of infestation [32,33,35]. Because kudzu develops large roots that store accumulated starch, older plants may be more resistant to control efforts and require more persistent or intensive management [33]. Vines that have spread vertically into tree canopies are thought to be more vigorous and to sequester starch reserves more rapidly and in greater quantity than prostrate-growing vines [11,33].
Weakening and eventual eradication of kudzu usually requires frequent defoliation by a single or several methods [11]. If managers are limited to a single defoliation treatment per year, it should be conducted in early fall (September in most areas). Kudzu allocates nearly all its resources to stem and foliar growth during the growing season, allocating few resources to root storage until near the end of the growing season. Kudzu recovers from defoliation by allocating root-stored resources to rapidly resume vigorous foliage growth. Defoliation activities conducted during the growing season can help deplete root energy stores and decrease plant vigor. However, fall defoliation is important to reduce resource allocation to roots, and hopefully gain substantial momentum toward eventual eradication [64].
For more information on kudzu control methods, see Mississippi State University Extension Service, Bugwood's Controlling Kudzu in CRP Stands, Controlling Kudzu in Western North Carolina, Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council, Kudzu in Alabama, and the Virginia Natural Heritage Program websites.
Prevention: No information
Integrated management: No information
Physical/mechanical: Physical or mechanical methods that destroy kudzu foliage can weaken the plant by simultaneously limiting photosynthesis and depleting root-stored energy reserves. For these methods to be effective, especially when used alone, managers should be prepared to apply them persistently and frequently, often for several years. For old, well-established stands, these methods are likely to be ineffective or require many years of intensive application. They are more likely to be effective when used in combination with herbicides.
The time required for eradication is a function of how long it takes to deplete root energy stores. Small, recently established patches (< 10 years old) can be eliminated by persistent weeding or mowing over a period of several (3-4) years [61]. Frequent mowing or cutting, ideally at 2-week intervals, weakens root crowns and inhibits photosynthesis [51]. Frequent mowing can be efficient and effective as long as all root crowns are in areas that are accessible [44].
Disking or cultivating infestations before and after chemical control efforts weakens plants and enhances herbicide effectiveness [33]. Cultivation may be inappropriate in natural areas or on steep or rocky terrain.
Individual plants may be hand pulled, but the entire root crown must be removed to prevent re-establishment [29]. Root systems of small, initial infestations can be excavated with a Pulaski or similar digging tool. All plant material should be removed from the site and destroyed by burning or bagging [51].
Fire: See Fire Management Considerations.
Biological: Intensive grazing can be an effective control measure, where appropriate. Young infestations (< 25 years old) are easier to control with grazing than older stands that have developed very large roots. Steady aboveground herbivory will gradually deplete root energy reserves, inhibit accumulation of new carbon stores by suppressing the amount of photosynthetic tissue, and prevent foliage from spreading into previously uninfested areas. Grazing kudzu infestations for 1 to 2 years prior to herbicide application can help to weaken plants, potentially making chemical control efforts more effective [33,34].
Chemical: Where appropriate, herbicides may be the most effective means of eradicating kudzu, whether used alone or in combination with other methods. Below is a list of herbicides that have been tested and judged effective for controlling kudzu in North America, as well as a brief discussion of important considerations regarding their use. This is not intended as an exhaustive review of chemical control methods. For more information regarding appropriate use of herbicides against invasive plant species in natural areas, see The Nature Conservancy's Weed Control Methods Handbook. For more information specific to herbicide use against kudzu, see Kudzu Eradication and Management, Bugwood's Controlling Kudzu in CRP Stands, Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council, or the Kudzu in Alabama website.
Chemical Considerations picloram [8,10,32,35] Perhaps the most (overall) effective chemical tested against kudzu [32,35,48]. Specific to broadleaf species; generally does not harm grasses [58]. May be mobile in soil solution and can leach into nearby surface water [31,58]. clopyralid [29,48] More selective than picloram. Has little effect on members of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and several other groups of broad-leaf plants, as well as grasses and other monocots. Chemically similar to picloram. Has a shorter half-life, but is more water soluble and has lower soil adsorption capacity [58]. fluroxypyr [48] triclopyr [29,35,48] Effective against arboreally established kudzu when applied to vines and foliage around the base of affected trees [35]. metsulfuron hexazinone [29] methyl 2- benzoate [10] tebuthiuron picloram + 2,4-D [32,35] glyphosate [51,61] Nonselective. "Cut-stump" method may be used to reduce mortality of neighboring native plants. For details see Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council. Low toxicity to animals and relatively immobile in soil. Glyphosate itself may be the least potentially harmful of the above chemicals to the environment, although many surfactants or other adjuvants in some formulations are toxic [58].Single applications of herbicides can reduce kudzu foliage by up to 2 orders of magnitude. However, continued spot treatment is usually required for several years for complete eradication due to recalcitrant root crowns and substantial root-sequestered carbon reserves that enable kudzu to resprout. Diligent monitoring and follow-up treatments may be required for 10 or more years on some sites [33,42]. Regrowth from surviving root crowns may often be delayed until 2 years after herbicide treatment, with no signs of survival during the 1st growing season. Several years of post-treatment monitoring and retreatment may be needed to ensure 100% mortality [33,48].
In general, herbicides are most effective against kudzu when applied after late May [32], although triclopyr was effective against tree-draped vines when applied in spring prior to the appearance of new growth [35]. Herbicides such as those listed above are likely to be most effective when applied near the end of the growing season when plants are translocating stem and foliar nutrients to root systems for dormant season storage [61]. Dormant-season herbicide application appears to be ineffective in controlling kudzu [48].
Higher herbicide application rates may be required for effective control on clayey or rocky soils or when infestations are older than 10 years [30,33,35]. Kudzu populations growing in a prostrate form, compared with plants growing vertically, are thought to be less vigorous and may be controlled using lower application rates [33,48].
Cultural: Planting grass in the fall following herbicide treatment has been recommended in order to stabilize soil and to provide competition against weakened kudzu plants and other weed species that may be present. Grasses are not injured by some herbicides that can kill kudzu (e.g., picloram or clopyralid) [33].
Planting competing vegetation that provides shade to treated sites, such as dense plantings of pine seedlings, can improve the effectiveness of repeated herbicide treatments [21], potentially reducing treatment duration.Kudzu has potential value as livestock forage [7,65]; however, it is easily overbrowsed, and its utility may not be sustainable [66]. Moreover, while it has been previously cultivated for livestock use and grazing can be an effective control measure (see Biological Control section below), kudzu has been identified as an invasive pest plant throughout the South. It is not recommended for cultivation for any purposes [11,51,61].
Kudzu seeds are a favored food for northern bobwhite, comprising 61.4% of the January and February diet of birds studied on an abandoned agricultural site in the Georgia Piedmont [28].
Palatability/nutritional value: Kudzu has comparable nutritional value to alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) hays. The following table provides information on nutritional value of kudzu [7]:
Parameters Leaf Stem Root Crude protein (% of dry matter) 17.5 10.3 8.6 Neutral-detergent Fiber (% of dry matter) 48.1 73.7 39.8 Acid-detergent Fiber (% of dry matter) 38.2 44.0 53.3 Ash (% of dry matter) 8.3 7.9 4.3 Ca (% of dry matter) 0.7 0.1 0.4 Fe (mg kg-1) 162.3 156.6 3,600 K (% of dry matter) 1.0 1.0 0.3 Mg (% of dry matter) 0.3 <0.1 0.1Cover value: No information
Kudzu sprouts from the root crown after fire. It quickly reestablishes following dormant-season fire, in some cases returning to previous levels of dominance by the 2nd postfire growing season [43,44].
There is speculation that the heat pulse from a ground fire may promote kudzu seed germination by increasing seedcoat permeability [33,39,55,56]. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that seed dormancy may be broken by exposure to high temperatures, which promotes seedcoat scarification and allows permeability to water [55,56]. Information on postfire kudzu seedling establishment is lacking.
Asexual regeneration: Kudzu commonly spreads by sending down roots from nearly every node along stems that contact soil. Rooting usually occurs every few feet along horizontal stems, and new root crowns develop at these nodes. New ramets develop the following spring, with new tendrils radiating in all directions from newly established root crowns [33,39,44].
Breeding system: No information
Pollination: No information
Seed production: Kudzu plants do not usually flower until their 3rd year [3]. Kudzu rarely flowers on prostrate vines and seeds are only produced on climbing vines [11,33,39]. Generally, a cluster of seedpods produces only 1 or 2 viable seeds [11]. Seed production is substantially limited in North America, especially in areas outside the Southeast [19,20,51].
Seed dispersal: No information
Seed banking: Seeds require scarification before they germinate. Although information on seed longevity is lacking, seed banks can apparently develop [11,33,39].
Germination: Seeds are unable to germinate until the seedcoats are rendered water permeable. Dormancy may be broken by physical scarification of seeds. Prolonged exposure to warm summer temperatures may promote germination by increasing seedcoat permeability, but detailed information is lacking [55,56].
Seedling establishment/growth: Kudzu reportedly sets seed infrequently in North America [51,66]. It is speculated that kudzu seedlings are far less competitive than asexually established ramets, and may be of minor concern regarding invasiveness [64]. The ecology of kudzu sexual reproduction in North America is little studied and more research is needed in this area.
Vines can grow up to 1 foot (30 cm) per day and 33 to 99 feet (10-30 m) in a growing season [37,45].
Kudzu is generally considered shade intolerant. A study at the University of Maryland showed that kudzu had the highest light requirement of 5 native and 3 exotic vine species of the Southeast, and establishment appears to be greatly inhibited under shaded, forest floor conditions [6]. While growth is slowed under shaded conditions, kudzu does have some ability to tolerate low irradiance levels [13,16]. This trait enables kudzu to maintain a competitively high leaf area index within a forest canopy, and to grow through several canopy layers before overtopping overstory trees [13].
Although kudzu is typically found in disturbed habitats, it can invade along edges of forested areas, enveloping, suppressing, and eventually killing mature trees. Kudzu monocultures can arrest successional development of native plant communities. Although kudzu has been established in North America for nearly a century, there are no published reports as of this writing (2002) that document long-term successional patterns in kudzu-dominated communities. Because kudzu spreads largely by asexual means in North America, populations are generally localized [44].
Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata), i possiblement altres espècies del gènere Pueraria, és una planta enfiladissa dins la família fabàcia, nativa del Japó i sud de la Xina, que en molts llocs del món és una espècie invasora.
Es propaga de manera vegetativa per estolons i per rizomes. També es multiplica, més rarament, per llavors que maduren a la tardor. Les llavors poden restar a dins del sòl i germinar alguns anys després quan ja semblava que aquesta planta s'havia erradicat.
Pel fet de ser una lleguminosa, augmenta el nitrogen disponible per altres plantes pels bacteris que té associats.[1] La seva arrel profunda també transfereix minerals que es troben en el subsòl fins a la part superior del sòl i el millora. S'ha fet servir per a la millorança de sòls forestals a l'Amazònia.[2]
El kudzu forneix un farratge de qualitat usat temporalment.[3] També és una planta medicinal adequada per a tractar l'alcoholisme.[4]
El kudzu també conté un gran nombre d'isoflavones útils en algunes com a antiinflamàtòries i d'altres com a antimicrobianes. També pot ser útil per al tractament del càncer i la migranya.[5] Es recomana per a l'al·lèrgia i la diarrea.[6]
També es fa servir en trastorns de símptomes postmenopausa.[7]
En la medicina xinesa tradicional(TCM), es considera una de les 50 plantes fonamentals.
S'ha d'eliminar la corona d'arrels de la planta que hi ha sobre la base de les arrels[9] i tots els estolons.
Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata), i possiblement altres espècies del gènere Pueraria, és una planta enfiladissa dins la família fabàcia, nativa del Japó i sud de la Xina, que en molts llocs del món és una espècie invasora.
Ko e fue ʻa e puaka pe fue fakahinga pe aka pe aka taha, ko e fuʻu ʻakau siʻi mo e totolo ia. ʻOku kehe ʻa hono kāinga mo e ngaahi fua kehe. Ko e vao ia, ʻoku vave ʻene tupu. ʻOku ui pehē koeʻuhi ʻoku manakoa ʻaupito ʻe he fanga puaka. ʻOku ui foki ko e Pueraria montana var. lobata, Pueraria thunbergiana, Pueraria triloba pea mo e Dolichos lobatus.
Vakai ki he fue maʻa e lahi ngaahi fue kehe.
Vakai ki he akataha maʻa e lahi ngaahi akataha kehe.
Ko e fue ʻa e puaka pe fue fakahinga pe aka pe aka taha, ko e fuʻu ʻakau siʻi mo e totolo ia. ʻOku kehe ʻa hono kāinga mo e ngaahi fua kehe. Ko e vao ia, ʻoku vave ʻene tupu. ʻOku ui pehē koeʻuhi ʻoku manakoa ʻaupito ʻe he fanga puaka. ʻOku ui foki ko e Pueraria montana var. lobata, Pueraria thunbergiana, Pueraria triloba pea mo e Dolichos lobatus.
Pueraria montana var. lobata, the East Asian arrowroot, or kudzu vine,[2] is a perennial plant in the family Fabaceae.
It is called gé (葛) in Chinese, kuzu (葛) in Japanese, and chik (칡) or gal (갈; 葛) in Korean.
The plant is native to East Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea), the Russian Far East, Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam), and the Pacific (New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu).[3]
The starch powder made from the East Asian arrowroot is called kudzu powder. Kudzu powder is used to make arrowroot tea in traditional medicines of China, Japan and Korea[4] (in Korea the root unprepared is also used).
East Asian arrowroot.
Arrowroot tea.
Kuzumochi made using kudzu powder.
Media related to Pueraria montana var. lobata at Wikimedia CommonsPueraria montana var. lobata, the East Asian arrowroot, or kudzu vine, is a perennial plant in the family Fabaceae.
Kudzuo aŭ kudzu-planto (latine Pueraria montana var. lobata, japane 葛 (くず), kuzu) estas plantospecio el la familio de fabacoj, kiu origine venas el Japanio kaj en 1876 estis kunportita en Usonon, kiam la japana registaro - okaze de la 100-jara ekzisto de Usono - aranĝis tie ĝardenon kun japanaj plantoj. Oni uzis la planton en la 1930-aj jaroj por plantizi voj-randojn, por eviti erozion.
Bedaŭrinde, kudzuo trovis en sudorienta Usono elstarajn kreskajn kondiĉojn kaj disvastiĝis eksplode pro manko de la naturaj malamikoj kiuj ekzistas en Japanio. Hodiaŭ, la planto kovras ĉ. 30 000 km² kaj kreskas kelkfoje eĉ 30 cm en tago.
La planto kovrokreskas dum mallonga tempo domojn, arbojn kaj ĉion. Ĝi povas dum kelkaj monatoj plene kovri domon.
Kudzuo mem estas tre utila planto, oni povas uzi ĉiujn ĝiajn partojn, kaj bestoj ŝatas ĝin manĝi. En Japanio, kudzuo estas ankaŭ kuracplanto.
Kudzuo aŭ kudzu-planto (latine Pueraria montana var. lobata, japane 葛 (くず), kuzu) estas plantospecio el la familio de fabacoj, kiu origine venas el Japanio kaj en 1876 estis kunportita en Usonon, kiam la japana registaro - okaze de la 100-jara ekzisto de Usono - aranĝis tie ĝardenon kun japanaj plantoj. Oni uzis la planton en la 1930-aj jaroj por plantizi voj-randojn, por eviti erozion.
Bedaŭrinde, kudzuo trovis en sudorienta Usono elstarajn kreskajn kondiĉojn kaj disvastiĝis eksplode pro manko de la naturaj malamikoj kiuj ekzistas en Japanio. Hodiaŭ, la planto kovras ĉ. 30 000 km² kaj kreskas kelkfoje eĉ 30 cm en tago.
La planto kovrokreskas dum mallonga tempo domojn, arbojn kaj ĉion. Ĝi povas dum kelkaj monatoj plene kovri domon.
Kudzuo mem estas tre utila planto, oni povas uzi ĉiujn ĝiajn partojn, kaj bestoj ŝatas ĝin manĝi. En Japanio, kudzuo estas ankaŭ kuracplanto.
Pueraria montana var. lobata es una subespecie de Pueraria montana, es una planta Magnoliopsida de la familia Fabaceae. Es una de las 50 hierbas fundamentales usadas en la medicina tradicional china donde se la conoce en chino como gé gēn (葛根). Su nombre común en numerosos países es el de kudzu.
A partir de sus raíces, desecadas y molidas, se obtiene un polvo blanco conocido en Japón como kuzu (クズ o 葛), del que se dice tiene importantes virtudes nutricionales, como reequilibrador de la flora intestinal, siendo habitual su consumo en combinación con Umeboshi. Ello es debido a que contiene isoflavonas útiles, destacando en un 60 % de dichas isoflavonas la puerarina. También contiene daidzeína (un agente antiinflamatorio y antimicrobiano y daidzina (molécula relacionada estructuralmente con la genisteína); por ello es útil en el tratamiento del alcoholismo.[1][2]
Los componentes encontrados en las raíces de esta planta, el kuzu, afectan a los neurotransmisores (incluyendo serotonina, GABA, y glutamato). Se ha probado su eficacia en el tratamiento de la migraña y la cefalea en racimos (un tipo de dolor de cabeza).[3] También es recomendado su uso para paliar alergias y diarreas.[4] En modelos de experimentación animal se ha probado su posible utilidad para la prevención del Alzheimer.[5]
El kuzu se ha usado en China como remedio tradicional para las resacas.[6] La raíz se ha usado para prevenir el exceso de consumo de alcohol, mientras que la flor se presupone que desintoxica el hígado y alivia los síntomas de dicho consumo.[7]
Se utiliza para tratar acufenos, vértigo, y el síndrome Wei (distrofia muscular).[8]
Por todo ello, en la medicina china tradicional se considera el kuzu una de las 50 plantas fundamentales.[8]
Constituye una de las plantas invasoras más activas, cubriendo rápidamente la vegetación existente y matándola al impedirle la absorción de la luz solar en el proceso de la fotosíntesis. Está incluida en la lista 100 de las especies exóticas invasoras más dañinas del mundo[9] de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza.
Pueraria montana var. lobata es una subespecie de Pueraria montana, es una planta Magnoliopsida de la familia Fabaceae. Es una de las 50 hierbas fundamentales usadas en la medicina tradicional china donde se la conoce en chino como gé gēn (葛根). Su nombre común en numerosos países es el de kudzu.
Beluister
(info)Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) is een klimplant die vooral bekend is als een invasieve soort in de Verenigde Staten en Australië.
De plant komt van nature voor in het zuiden van Japan en het zuidoosten van China. De naam komt van het Japanse “kuzu” (葛), wat rankende klimplant betekent. De andere soorten uit het geslacht Pueraria komen ook voor in Zuidoost-Azië en meestal zuidelijker.
Het is een klimmende houtige of halfhoutige overblijvende klimplant, die 20 tot 30 m lang kan worden. Hij klimt in bomen en kruipt over lagere vegetatie. Het is een bladverliezende plant. De bladeren zijn afwisselend geplaatst en samengesteld. De bladsteel is 10–20 cm lang. De drie deelbladeren zijn 14–18 cm lang en 10 cm breed. De deelbladeren zijn twee- tot drielobbig en aan de onderkant donzig behaard.
De bloemen groeien in 10–25 cm lange pluimen, die uit 30 tot 80 individuele bloemen bestaan. Elke bloem is 1–1,5 cm lang, paars en geurig. De bloemen produceren veel nectar en worden bezocht door veel insecten zoals bijen, vlinders en motten. De plant bloeit laat in de zomer, wat wordt gevolgd door de productie van harige, platte peulvruchten, die drie tot tien harde zaden bevatten.
De niet-houtige delen van de plant zijn eetbaar. De jonge bladeren kunnen worden gebruikt voor salades of worden gekookt als een bladgroente. De bloemen kunnen worden gebakken. De zetmeelrijke wortelknollen kunnen op dezelfde manier als aardappels worden bereid.
De kudzu is een zeer snel groeiende plant, die 20 meter per seizoen kan groeien met een groeisnelheid van 30 cm per dag.[1] Deze krachtige klimplant kan langer dan 30 meter worden. De stengels zijn 1–10 cm in diameter. De wortels van de kudzu zijn vlezig met massieve penwortels. De penwortels zijn 10–20 cm of meer in diameter en 1–2 m of meer in lengte. Ze kunnen meer dan 180 kg wegen. Meer dan 30 stammen kunnen uit één wortelstelsel groeien.
Kudzu kan groeien onder veel verschillende condities en in verschillende grondtypen. Kudzu groeit vaak bij bosranden, verwilderde velden, wegbermen en stedelijke gebieden op plaatsen met veel zonlicht. Kudzu groeit het best op plaatsen waar de wintertemperaturen niet beneden de –15 °C komen, gemiddelde zomertemperaturen vaak boven de 27 °C uitkomen en de jaarlijkse regenval meer dan 1000 mm bedraagt. Op plaatsen waar de temperaturen beneden de –15 °C dalen, zal de plant tot de grond toe afsterven, maar de plant kan dan in de lente vanuit de wortels terugkomen.
In de zuidoostelijke staten van de Verenigde Staten en in het noordoosten van Australië is de kudzu een invasieve soort en een onkruid, dat daar explosief groeit door de bijna ideale omstandigheden. Veel geld en moeite worden besteed om de kudzu te bestrijden. Hij overgroeit wegen, bruggen, hoogspanningsmasten en de lokale vegetatie. De plant is moeilijk te bestrijden omdat de plant met wortel en tak moet worden uitgeroeid. Een van de bestrijdingsmethoden die in juli 2011 aandacht trok van CNN is de bestrijding van kudzu met het injecteren van heliumgas in de grond rond het wortelstelsel. Een uitvinding van een 17-jarige High school scholier Jacob Schindler uit de staat Georgia.
In de Verenigde Staten heeft de plant vanwege zijn overwoekeringen de bijnaam "the vine that ate the south" (de plant die het zuiden opat) gekregen.
De zetmeelrijke wortels worden vermalen tot een fijn poeder en gebruikt voor verschillende soorten wagashi (Japanse hapjes) en kruidenmedicijnen. Als het poeder aan water wordt toegevoegd en wordt verwarmd, wordt het poeder helder en kan het stijfheid aan voeding bijdragen. De naam kudzu verscheen voor het eerst in Kojiki en Nihonshoki als een type rankende klimplant (国栖). De naam werd vaak gebruikt door mensen die leefden in Kudzu (国栖), een gebied in de buurt van het huidige Yoshino in de prefectuur Nara. Het is onbekend of de naam is afgeleid van de bewoners of dat de naam van de plant aan de mensen is gegeven. Kudzu wordt al minstens 1300 jaar gebruikt. De prefectuur Kagoshima is de grootste producent van kudzu-producten. Kudzu-wortel is verkrijgbaar bij (chinese) toko's onder de naam 'Fun Got' (uitgesproken als 'van koo').[2]
Op de Harvard-universiteit onderzoekt men de relatie tussen kudzu en de opname van alcohol in het bloed.[3] Voorlopige resultaten lijken aan te tonen dat gebruik van kudzu de opname verbetert, waardoor de drinker sneller dronken wordt. De onderliggende mechanismen zijn nog niet opgehelderd, maar het zou te maken kunnen hebben met zowel alcohol metabolisme en gedragcircuits in de hersenen. Kudzu bevat ook een aantal nuttige flavonoïden zoals daidzeïne (een ontstekingsremmende en antimicrobiële stof), daidzine (een stof die preventief werkt tegen kanker) en genisteïne (een stof die preventief werkt tegen leukemie). Kudzu is ook een unieke bron van puerarine. Stoffen uit de wortel van kudzu kunnen neurotransmitters (als serotonine, GABA en glutamaat) beïnvloeden. Deze stoffen hebben waarde laten zien bij de behandeling van migraine en clusterhoofdpijn. In de traditionele Chinese geneeskunde wordt kudzu gebruikt voor oorsuizen, draaiduizeligheid en het Wei-syndroom.
Bronnen, noten en/of referentiesKudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) is een klimplant die vooral bekend is als een invasieve soort in de Verenigde Staten en Australië.
De plant komt van nature voor in het zuiden van Japan en het zuidoosten van China. De naam komt van het Japanse “kuzu” (葛), wat rankende klimplant betekent. De andere soorten uit het geslacht Pueraria komen ook voor in Zuidoost-Azië en meestal zuidelijker.
Het is een klimmende houtige of halfhoutige overblijvende klimplant, die 20 tot 30 m lang kan worden. Hij klimt in bomen en kruipt over lagere vegetatie. Het is een bladverliezende plant. De bladeren zijn afwisselend geplaatst en samengesteld. De bladsteel is 10–20 cm lang. De drie deelbladeren zijn 14–18 cm lang en 10 cm breed. De deelbladeren zijn twee- tot drielobbig en aan de onderkant donzig behaard.
De bloemen groeien in 10–25 cm lange pluimen, die uit 30 tot 80 individuele bloemen bestaan. Elke bloem is 1–1,5 cm lang, paars en geurig. De bloemen produceren veel nectar en worden bezocht door veel insecten zoals bijen, vlinders en motten. De plant bloeit laat in de zomer, wat wordt gevolgd door de productie van harige, platte peulvruchten, die drie tot tien harde zaden bevatten.
De niet-houtige delen van de plant zijn eetbaar. De jonge bladeren kunnen worden gebruikt voor salades of worden gekookt als een bladgroente. De bloemen kunnen worden gebakken. De zetmeelrijke wortelknollen kunnen op dezelfde manier als aardappels worden bereid.
De kudzu is een zeer snel groeiende plant, die 20 meter per seizoen kan groeien met een groeisnelheid van 30 cm per dag. Deze krachtige klimplant kan langer dan 30 meter worden. De stengels zijn 1–10 cm in diameter. De wortels van de kudzu zijn vlezig met massieve penwortels. De penwortels zijn 10–20 cm of meer in diameter en 1–2 m of meer in lengte. Ze kunnen meer dan 180 kg wegen. Meer dan 30 stammen kunnen uit één wortelstelsel groeien.
Kudzu kan groeien onder veel verschillende condities en in verschillende grondtypen. Kudzu groeit vaak bij bosranden, verwilderde velden, wegbermen en stedelijke gebieden op plaatsen met veel zonlicht. Kudzu groeit het best op plaatsen waar de wintertemperaturen niet beneden de –15 °C komen, gemiddelde zomertemperaturen vaak boven de 27 °C uitkomen en de jaarlijkse regenval meer dan 1000 mm bedraagt. Op plaatsen waar de temperaturen beneden de –15 °C dalen, zal de plant tot de grond toe afsterven, maar de plant kan dan in de lente vanuit de wortels terugkomen.
In de zuidoostelijke staten van de Verenigde Staten en in het noordoosten van Australië is de kudzu een invasieve soort en een onkruid, dat daar explosief groeit door de bijna ideale omstandigheden. Veel geld en moeite worden besteed om de kudzu te bestrijden. Hij overgroeit wegen, bruggen, hoogspanningsmasten en de lokale vegetatie. De plant is moeilijk te bestrijden omdat de plant met wortel en tak moet worden uitgeroeid. Een van de bestrijdingsmethoden die in juli 2011 aandacht trok van CNN is de bestrijding van kudzu met het injecteren van heliumgas in de grond rond het wortelstelsel. Een uitvinding van een 17-jarige High school scholier Jacob Schindler uit de staat Georgia.
In de Verenigde Staten heeft de plant vanwege zijn overwoekeringen de bijnaam "the vine that ate the south" (de plant die het zuiden opat) gekregen.
Pueraria montana var. lobata chamada pelos japoneses de kudzu[1] é uma de 20 espécies do gênero Pueraria. Pertence a família Fabaceae, subfamília Fabaoideae. É uma espécie nativa do Japão. As flores medem de 1 a 1,5 cm.
A preferência no habitat da kudzu é ao redor de florestas e campos de cultivo abandonados, onde há muita luz abundante. A espécie cresce melhor onde a temperatura diminui até -15 °C e as temperaturas médias do verão estão regularmente acima de 27 °C, e precipitação anual de 1000 mm ou mais.
Para gerir de maneira eficaz, o corte dos caules deverá ser seguido imediatamente pela aplicação de herbicidas sistémicos, como por exemplo o glifosato,[2] triclopyr,[2] ou picloram,[3] directamente no corte.[4] Este processo é uma maneira efectiva de transportar o herbicida até ao extenso sistema radicular da planta. O uso de herbicidas pode ser combinado com outros métodos de erradicação e controlo, como a queima ou a herbivoria, que poderá facilitar a aplicação de químicos às plantas enfraquecidas.[5]
O Kudzu é uma videira que foi introduzido na América do Norte em 1876, no sudeste dos EUA para controle da erosão, tornando-se uma praga por seu crescimento invasivo. Na medicina tradicional é usado para problemas cardíacos e circulatórios, incluindo pressão alta, batimentos cardíacos irregulares, insuficiência cardíaca e dor no peito; para problemas respiratórios superiores, incluindo infecções dos seios nasais, resfriado comum, febre do feno, gripe e gripe suína e para problemas de pele, incluindo erupção cutânea alérgica, coceira e psoríase e para reduzir os sintomas da ressaca alcoólica, incluindo dor de cabeça, dor de estômago, tontura e vômito. [6]
Na medicina tradicional chinesa a Radix Puerariae (raiz de Kudzu) 葛根 (Pinyin Name: ge gen) seja a Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi ou Pueraria thomsonii Benth. é de natureza fresca, sabor doce e picante e manifesta principalmente suas ações terapêuticas nos meridianos do baço, estômago, pulmão e bexiga. [7] Tradicionalmente usada no tratamento de diarréia, disenteria aguda, surdez e doenças cardiovasculares. [8] Entre sua utilização nesse sistema etnomédico alguns autores destacam sua utilização no tratamento do abuso de álcool por sua atividade antidipsotrópica [9] [10]
Pueraria montana var. lobata chamada pelos japoneses de kudzu é uma de 20 espécies do gênero Pueraria. Pertence a família Fabaceae, subfamília Fabaoideae. É uma espécie nativa do Japão. As flores medem de 1 a 1,5 cm.
A preferência no habitat da kudzu é ao redor de florestas e campos de cultivo abandonados, onde há muita luz abundante. A espécie cresce melhor onde a temperatura diminui até -15 °C e as temperaturas médias do verão estão regularmente acima de 27 °C, e precipitação anual de 1000 mm ou mais.
Має вигляд ліани з дерев'янистими опушеними стеблами до 12 см у діаметрі і 1—3 м завдовжки. Листки трійчасті. Листочки 14—20 см завдовжки, на довгих опушених черешках; бокові — округлі, верхівкові — ромбічні. Квітки зигоморфні, фіалково-рожеві, в багатоквіткових пазушних китицях. Плід — біб. Цвіте у липні — жовтні.
Природний ареал — країни Східної Азії: Японія, Корея, Китай, Приморський край РФ. Інвазійний вид — Кавказ, Крим, США. В Європейському Союзі включено до офіційного переліку чужорідних інвазійних видів[1].
Пуерарію використовують в харчовій промисловості, медицині, текстильний промисловості. З кореня видобувають крохмаль, вуглеводи діадзин і діадзеїн, кумарини. З листків і бутонів — флавоноїди, аспарагін, аденін, масляну і глютамінову кислоти. З насіння — алкалоїди, гістидин, кемпферол і крохмаль (до 40 %).
У китайській традиційній медицині пуерарію використовують як потогінний, протигарячковий і протипростудний засіб.
В японській кухні з крохмалю пуерарії виготовляють так званий японський аррорут.
Крохмаль пуерарії
Зарості пуерарії
Ширма з пуерарією
Пуэрария издавна известна в Японии и Китае. Упоминается, в частности, в 15 главе трактата Баопу-цзы Гэ Хуна[8], где готовится из цветов снадобье, вызывающее вещие сны. Сама фамилия знаменитого даосского рода Гэ (в которую входят Гэ Хун, Гэ Сюань, Гэ Чаофу) означает пуэрарию.
В японской кухне используется для приготовления разновидности моти под названием «кудзу-моти».
Гарвардский медицинский институт изучает пуэрарию как возможное лекарство от пристрастия к алкоголю[9]. Вероятно, имеется потенциал её использования для лечения болезни Альцгеймера[10].
Фитотерапевты рекомендуют её для лечения аллергии и диареи[11]. В традиционной китайской медицине пуэрария известна под названием «гэгэнь» (кит. 葛根) и считается одной из 50 важнейших трав[en]. Её используют для лечения головокружения, шума в ушах и перегрева[12]. В Древнем Китае считалось, что корень пуэрарии предотвращает чрезмерное употребление алкоголя, а цветы выводят яды из организма[13].
|month= (справка); Неизвестный параметр |author-separator= (справка) Пуэрария издавна известна в Японии и Китае. Упоминается, в частности, в 15 главе трактата Баопу-цзы Гэ Хуна, где готовится из цветов снадобье, вызывающее вещие сны. Сама фамилия знаменитого даосского рода Гэ (в которую входят Гэ Хун, Гэ Сюань, Гэ Чаофу) означает пуэрарию.
В японской кухне используется для приготовления разновидности моти под названием «кудзу-моти».
Гарвардский медицинский институт изучает пуэрарию как возможное лекарство от пристрастия к алкоголю. Вероятно, имеется потенциал её использования для лечения болезни Альцгеймера.
Фитотерапевты рекомендуют её для лечения аллергии и диареи. В традиционной китайской медицине пуэрария известна под названием «гэгэнь» (кит. 葛根) и считается одной из 50 важнейших трав[en]. Её используют для лечения головокружения, шума в ушах и перегрева. В Древнем Китае считалось, что корень пуэрарии предотвращает чрезмерное употребление алкоголя, а цветы выводят яды из организма.
提示：本条目的主题不是葛菜。葛（学名：Pueraria montana var. lobata）是葛屬山葛的变种。其根部為中草藥葛根（中药拉丁名Puerariae Radix），又名鹿藿、黃斤[a]、雞齊根[b]，主治傷寒溫熱、頭痛項強（頸僵）、煩熱消渴、洩瀉、痢疾、麻疹不透、高血壓、心紋痛、耳聾等証。
甘辛平,入脾、胃經。
陰虛火旺上盛下虛忌用
葛根湯：葛根四兩、麻黃三兩去節、桂枝二兩、芍藥二兩、甘草二兩灸、生薑三兩切、大棗十二枚擘。
解酒：葛根一錢，在喝酒前泡一杯開水喝下再喝酒，酒精可解，所以人不會醉。
可抑制對酒的渴望，降低血壓和減輕頭痛、頸部僵硬、眩暈、耳鳴。有助於治療酒精性中毒、感冒、流行性感冒和腸胃疾病。
提示：本条目的主题不是葛菜。 
维基百科中的醫療相关内容仅供参考，詳見醫學聲明。如需专业意见请咨询专业人士。 葛（学名：Pueraria montana var. lobata）是葛屬山葛的变种。其根部為中草藥葛根（中药拉丁名Puerariae Radix），又名鹿藿、黃斤、雞齊根，主治傷寒溫熱、頭痛項強（頸僵）、煩熱消渴、洩瀉、痢疾、麻疹不透、高血壓、心紋痛、耳聾等証。
この項目では、マメ科の植物について説明しています。その他の用法については「くず」をご覧ください。 
分類（APG III） 界 : 植物界 Plantae 階級なし : 被子植物 angiosperms 階級なし : 真正双子葉類 eudicots 階級なし : コア真正双子葉類 core eudicots 階級なし : バラ類 rosids 階級なし : マメ類 fabids 目 : マメ目 Fabales 科 : マメ科 Fabaceae 亜科 : マメ亜科 Faboideae 連 : インゲンマメ連 Phaseoleae 亜連 : ダイズ亜連 Glycininae 属 : クズ属 Pueraria 種 : P. montana 変種 : クズ P. montana var. lobata 学名 Pueraria montana var. lobataクズ（葛、学名: Pueraria montana var. lobata）は、マメ科クズ属のつる性の多年草である[3]。日本では、根を用いて食材の葛粉や漢方薬が作られ、万葉の昔から秋の七草の一つに数えられている[3]。
和名は、かつて大和国（現：奈良県）吉野川（紀の川）上流の国栖（くず）が葛粉の産地であったことに由来する。漢字は葛を当てる（「葛」で表記する場合もある）。
地面を這うつるは、他のものに巻きついて10メートル以上に伸び、全体に褐色の細かい毛が生えている[3]。
根もとは木質化し、地下では肥大した長芋状の塊根となり、長さは1.5メートル、径は20センチに達する[3]。
葉は三出複葉、小葉は草質で幅広く大きい[3]。葉の裏面は白い毛を密生して白色を帯びている[3]。
花は8-9月の秋に咲き、穂状花序が立ち上がり、濃紺紫色の甘い芳香を発する花を咲かせる[3]。花色には変異がみられ、白いものをシロバナクズ、淡桃色のものをトキイロクズと呼ぶ[3]。
つるを伸ばして広い範囲で根を下ろし、繁茂力が高い。かつての農村では、田畑の周辺に育つクズのつるを作業用の材料に用いたため、定期的に刈り取られていたが、刈り取りを行わない場合は短期間で低木林を覆い尽くすほど成長が早い。伸び始めたばかりの樹木の枝に巻き付くと、それによって樹木の枝が曲がってしまうこともあるため、人工林においては、若木の生長を妨げる有害植物と見なされている。
クズは根茎により増殖するため、地上部のつるを刈り取っても地下に根茎が残り、すぐにつるが再生する。抜本的に除去する方法として、除草剤のイマザピルを使う手法がある。薬剤を染みこませた楊枝状の製品であり、根株に打ち込むことにより効果を発揮する。
様々な昆虫のつく植物でもある。たとえば、黒と白のはっきりした模様のオジロアシナガゾウムシ、マルカメムシはよくクズで見かける。また、クズの葉に細かい虫食いがある場合、それはクズノチビタマムシによる食痕であることが多い。東南アジア原産の外来昆虫であるフェモラータオオモモブトハムシの幼虫はクズの蔓を肥大させて虫こぶ（ゴール）としその中を食べる。
温帯および暖帯に分布し、北海道から九州までの日本各地のほか、中国からフィリピン、インドネシア、ニューギニアに分布している[3]。世界の侵略的外来種ワースト100 (IUCN, 2000) 選定種の一つである。荒れ地に多く、人手の入った薮によく繁茂する。
北アメリカでは、1876年にフィラデルフィアで開催されたフィラデルフィア万国博覧会（独立百年祭博覧会）の際、日本から運ばれて飼料作物および庭園装飾用として展示されたのをきっかけとして、東屋やポーチの飾りとして使われるようになった[4]。さらに緑化・土壌流失防止用として政府によって推奨され、20世紀前半は持てはやされた。しかし、繁茂力の高さや拡散の速さから、有害植物ならびに侵略的外来種として指定され、駆除が続けられている。現在ではクズの成育する面積は3万km2と推定されている[5]（en:Kudzu in the United States も参照）。
沖縄には同属のタイワンクズ（英語版） (Pueraria montana) がある。全体にクズに似るが、葉の形や花の姿などに若干の差がある。なお、沖縄ではほぼ同様な姿でナタマメ属（英語版）のタカナタマメ（英語版） (Canavalia cathartica) も路傍によく出現する。
日本では古くから食用や薬用、材料として用いられていたが、2008年に宮崎大学により、クズ属植物からバイオマスエタノールを抽出する技術が開発された。現在はあまり利用されることはないが、かつては飼料としても重宝された[6]。ウマノオコワ、ウマノボタモチといった地方名があるが、馬だけではなく牛、ヤギ、ウサギなど多くの草食動物が好んで食べる。
古来から大きく肥大した塊根に含まれるデンプンをとり、「葛粉」として利用されてきた[3]。秋から冬にかけて掘り起こしたものを砕いて洗い、精製する[3]。葛粉を湯で溶かしたものを葛湯と言い、熱を加えて溶かしたものは固まると透明もしくは半透明になり、葛切りや葛餅、葛菓子（干菓子）などの和菓子材料や料理のとろみ付けに古くから用いられている。あまりメジャーではないが、春先から初夏にかけて伸びるつる先や花も天ぷらなどにして食用に出来る。
つるを煮てから発酵させ、取りだした繊維で編んだ布は葛布と呼ばれる[6]。現在に伝わってる製法の葛布は平安時代ごろから作られていたとされる。葛の繊維で編んだ布は新石器時代からも出土している。江戸時代には『和漢三才図会』でも紹介された。かつては衣服・壁紙などに幅広く使われたが、現在では生活雑貨や土産物として、数少ない専門店によって小規模ながら生産が続けられている。遠州、現在の静岡県掛川市の特産品である。
また、クズのつるは長いことから、切り取ったつるが乾燥して固くなる前に編むことで、籠などの生活用品を作ることができる。
日本においては古くから文化的題材として扱われ、クズ固有の小さな葉を意匠的に図案化した家紋が数多く存在する。また、秋の七草のひとつに数えられるとともに、秋の季語として多くの俳句に詠われている。落語に『葛根湯医者』がある。
クズ（葛、学名: Pueraria montana var. lobata）は、マメ科クズ属のつる性の多年草である。日本では、根を用いて食材の葛粉や漢方薬が作られ、万葉の昔から秋の七草の一つに数えられている。
和名は、かつて大和国（現：奈良県）吉野川（紀の川）上流の国栖（くず）が葛粉の産地であったことに由来する。漢字は葛を当てる（「葛」で表記する場合もある）。
칡(kudzu)은 낙엽이 지는 덩굴성 활엽목본으로서 줄기에는 녹색이나 갈색 털이 나 있다. 잎은 3출겹잎으로 어긋나며 긴 잎자루를 가지고 있다. 작은잎은 길이와 폭이 모두 15cm나 되는데, 특히 꼭대기에 있는 작은잎은 더 크다. 한편, 잎 뒷면에는 흰 털이 빽빽하게 나와 있다. 늦여름이 되면, 잎겨드랑이에 홍자색의 아름다운 나비꽃이 길이 15cm 정도의 총상꽃차례를 이루면서 달린다. 이 때, 각각의 나비꽃은 2cm 정도이며, 특히 기판은 색깔이 밝다. 꽃이 진 뒤에는 길이 수 센티미터의 갈색 털이 달린 길쭉한 꼬투리가 된다. 주로 산기슭의 양지에서 자라며, 한반도 각지에 분포하고 있다.[1]
칡의 뿌리는 '갈근(葛根)'이라고 하는데, 단맛이 있고 섬유질과 전분질이 엉킨 구조로 되어 있다.[2] 약재(藥材)로 쓰이기도 하며, 말려서 끓여 먹거나 생으로 갈아먹는다.[3]
칡(kudzu)은 낙엽이 지는 덩굴성 활엽목본으로서 줄기에는 녹색이나 갈색 털이 나 있다. 잎은 3출겹잎으로 어긋나며 긴 잎자루를 가지고 있다. 작은잎은 길이와 폭이 모두 15cm나 되는데, 특히 꼭대기에 있는 작은잎은 더 크다. 한편, 잎 뒷면에는 흰 털이 빽빽하게 나와 있다. 늦여름이 되면, 잎겨드랑이에 홍자색의 아름다운 나비꽃이 길이 15cm 정도의 총상꽃차례를 이루면서 달린다. 이 때, 각각의 나비꽃은 2cm 정도이며, 특히 기판은 색깔이 밝다. 꽃이 진 뒤에는 길이 수 센티미터의 갈색 털이 달린 길쭉한 꼬투리가 된다. 주로 산기슭의 양지에서 자라며, 한반도 각지에 분포하고 있다.
칡의 뿌리는 '갈근(葛根)'이라고 하는데, 단맛이 있고 섬유질과 전분질이 엉킨 구조로 되어 있다. 약재(藥材)로 쓰이기도 하며, 말려서 끓여 먹거나 생으로 갈아먹는다.
