kudzu Fabaceae Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr.   symbol: PUMO
	Leaf: Alternate, compound, 6 to 8 inches long, very long rachis, 3 fuzzy leaflets, individual leaflets 3 to 4 inches long, oval or nearly heart shaped, may be lobed and fuzzy. Flower: Large hanging clusters of pea-like, purple to red flowers, with a grape-like smell, appearing in mid-summer. Fruit: Dark brown flattened pods in clusters, very hairy; ripen in the fall. Twig: Velvety hairy turning brown. Bark: Brown and smooth but eventually becoming finely scaly. Form: High climbing vine, very often completely covers trees and forms "Kudzu sculptures". Stems may reach up to 4 inches in diameter.
	USDAFS Additional Silvics - USDA Plants Database Pueraria montana is planted in the highlighted USDA hardiness zones to the left and may seed into the landscape. See a map of the states in which kudzu has escaped (opens a new window).