October 28, 1920: 102 years ago

The Vine that Ate Pittsburgh?
Not yet.

This specimen of Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) was collected on October 28, 1920 by Neil MCCallum at West End Park, Pittsburgh.  The plant was collected in cultivation, meaning it was intentionally planted and grown in a garden or similar. This specimen is one of the earliest records of the species in Pittsburgh (It was also collected two years before).

Kudzu is a vine in the bean family, Fabaceae, with beautiful purple flowers. Native to East Asia, it was introduced as an ornamental  the United States from from Japan in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition.  It was promoted in the 1930-40s in the southern US to prevent soil erosion.  However, it is now an invasive species, with big ecological impacts.  It is widely known as "the vine that ate the South."  A quick google search will show you striking pictures of the vine covering large areas of land, covering trees, shrubs, logs, and everything.  It shades out existing vegetation and can drastically alter the ecosystem.

It is not common in Pennsylvania, but perhaps might become so.  It is listed by the state as a "Class A Noxious Weed" - meaning it is assessed as a high invasive risk and ecological/economical concern, but is uncommon and possible to be eradicated.  It can not be sold or planted commercially in PA.

It is currently most invasive in the South, but a study published in 2009 by Dr. Bethany Bradley and others suggests that the species may become more invasive in the north (including Pennsylvania) as climate change continues.

You can find this specimen online here, and search our collection at midatlanticherbaria.org.

Kudzu (Pueria montana) growing along the Kiskiminetas River in Apollo, Pennsylvania in 2018.  It was likely planted, but seems to be doing quite well.