Kudzu (Pueraria montana): Known as "the vine that ate the South," kudzu is a fast-growing vine introduced to the U.S. from Japan in the 1800s for erosion control and ornamental use. It can grow up to a foot per day, smothering trees, power lines, and buildings under a blanket of leaves. By blocking sunlight, it kills native plants and alters forest ecosystems. It resists herbicides and regrows from root fragments, making eradication extremely difficult. Kudzu also releases nitrogen, changing soil chemistry and favoring invasive species. Efforts include grazing, mowing, and targeted herbicides. Beyond ecological damage, it causes power outages and structural issues. Kudzu symbolizes the unintended consequences of introducing aggressive non-native plants without proper risk assessment.
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