Kudzu vine – Pueraria montana var. lobata

Kudzu vine is native to South-East and East Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, the Russian Far East, Indochina, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu). Human activity has spread the species widely to the Pacific islands, Australia, westernmost Asia, Africa, the United States, the Caribbean and Central America. In Europe, it has recently become established in Switzerland and Italy. The species thrives best in humid and warm regions, but is also resistant to low temperatures (-18°C). Kudzu vine has been introduced to new areas as an ornamental, fodder crop, vegetable manure and for erosion control purposes.