“Garden Escapes” education booklet - Sydney Weeds Committees

Vines & Scramblers
4
Kudzu
Pueria lobata
Family:
Origin:
Habit:
Leaves:
Flowers:
Fruit:
Dispersal:
Control:
This plant has taken over entire towns in
America. There are only two known locations
most critical potential threats to Sydney
Fabaceae
South America to remove once established with hardy tubers
Perennial climber
and rapid growth rate. Beware of this plant.
with twining stems to 6m on supporting vegetation.
Oblong – triangular leaves, with fi nger-like glands on the
upper surface, grow at right angles to the stalk.
Perfumed tubular white fl owers late spring to autumn.
Sap a milky, sticky latex.
Leaves and pear-shaped fruit pods are greyish, covered in
fi ne hairs. When the pods turn brown and split, they release
thousands of tiny black seeds with a tuft of silky white hairs.
Expansive root system with crowns and deep tap root.
Also seeds in pods.
Can also be sprayed. Seek advice before doing so.
Photo: Kelly Saunderson