The Kudzu Of The North

Photo Courtesy of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission

The Kudzu Of The North

Let me tell you a true story about the plant known as Kudzu. This plant was introduced into the South in 1876. It was touted as being a miracle plant, one that would help stabilize soil and provide a source of food for livestock. It did, indeed, fulfill both functions admirably. The only problem with Kudzu, a native of Japan and parts of China, is that it is too well adapted to the growing conditions of the South. In the intervening years, it has overtaken some 7,000,000+ acres of the South. It has crossed the Mason-Dixon line and has been found in areas of Southern Indiana and parts of Illinois. Whether it will make its way farther North or not, I am not sure; however, it is so vigorous, it wouldn't surprise me if it did.

The problem with Kudzu is its ability to crawl through the soil at an amazing rate, sometimes at a foot or more a day. It is not uncommon to see edges of roadways, telephone poles, trees, even buildings covered with Kudzu vines. It is difficult to eradicate. Sometimes it takes up to 10 years to do so. There is a saying down South: Keep your windows closed at night to keep the Kudzu out.

Why has this plant caused so much grief when it is well-behaved in its native habitat? Well, one of the primary reasons that Kudzu has done so well is that none of its natural insect enemies were imported into this country along with the Kudzu. This means it has no competition. Since it threatens the rest of the natural flora of the region, eradication programs continue. The only good thing about it is that it does have some nutritional value, and it produces a hemp-like fiber that can be used to weave baskets.

Now I have told you the brief story about Kudzu. Those of you who are familiar with this plant will be looking at the above picture. You will be thinking, "That's not Kudzu! Did she goof when she set up this page?" No, it isn't Kudzu. But, for those of us in the North, it is our version of Kudzu.

What you are looking at is one of the true demons of the plant world, a very beautiful but dangerous plant known as Purple Loosestrife. One story holds that this plant came over as ship's ballast in the 1800's and it, along with the soil it rode in on, were plunked down in America. It really doesn't matter how it came to this continent. Loosestrife has been advancing ever since throughout this country and Canada, wreaking havoc with farmland, pastureland and wetlands.

Purple Loosestrife has little redeeming value. Although bees and butterflies are attracted to it, it causes much more harm than good. Unlike Kudzu, it cannot be used as a food source and it won't produce fiber. What it does quite well is to choke out the native plants in wetlands, rendering it useless for the creatures who depend on these areas for food and shelter. It destroys farmland, period.

This European native also came to this land without any of its natural enemies tagging along. There has been work on implementing biological control via the introduction of the European insects that feed on Loosestrife, with some success. The problem with chemical control is that it will eradicate the Loosestrife, but it also kills desirable plants as well. When in a wetland situation, this can also affect the aquatic life of that area. Another problem with wetlands is topography: It is often difficult to physically reach the plants to spray and kill them.

Well, you might say, I live in the middle of town. I have no wetland or farmland near me. It is well behaved in my yard. What can the harm be in having one or two of these beautiful plants growing in my garden? The hardest thing to do is to convince a lot of gardeners to get rid of this beast because it is so beautiful. There is nothing ugly about its appearance. But, Purple Loosestrife is killing so much of our land!

It was once a thought there were "safe" varieties of Loosestrife, purple and whatever other colors. This is a myth. The so-called "safe" varieties can produce pollen to cross with any other variety, and thus produce more seed. Some of the "safe" varieties also produce seed in their own right. One blooming Loosestrife is capable of producing millions of seeds that are easily dispersed far and wide on the wind. Portions of the root can take hold anywhere. That pretty little three foot plant can become a six foot monster out in the wetlands!

If you have this plant growing in your yard, please destroy it. Grub out every piece of root. If it is in the bloom phase, cut the flower heads off and, if possible, burn them. Burn the plant. DO NOT throw it on the compost heap! If you cannot burn the plant, then place all parts in a dark plastic bag, seal it up, and let it die. Discard it in a sealed bag. Don't let is see the light of day. Ever!

Sadly, we will probably never really be completely free of this scourge. The best we might be able to achieve will be to control its spread. A little education can go a long way towards reaching that goal. Please, get rid of these plants! If you know of someone who is growing Loosestrife of any variety in their yard, please pass this article along. Send it as a link. No matter how you do it, please let them know!

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