As it spreads, kudzu smothers other plants to block their access to sunlight, which limits the blocked plant's ability to photosynthesize. Kudzu will take over an area and limit the biodiversity.

Kudzu, a Japanese invasive vine originally brought to North Carolina in the late 1800s to help farmers battle erosion, spreads like wildfire and takes over resources that anything else needs to grow.

Like many other invasive species, kudzu came to the U.S. in the late 19th century to feed farm animals and add beauty to landscapes. The purple flowers look pretty, but the plant grows a foot per day.

Kudzu, a Japanese invasive vine originally brought to North Carolina in the late 1800s to help farmers battle erosion, spreads like wildfire and takes over resources that anything else needs to grow.

An advertisement for kudzu seeds from the early 1900s. The plants were marketed to homeowners as a way to provide extra shade due to their large leaves and aesthetic appeal.

Kudzu, a Japanese vine originally brought to North Carolina in the late 1800s, is an invasive species that spreads rapidly, taking over resources that other plants need to survive. It can cause ...