Kudzu came to America as a garden plant; now its vines can fuel wildfires

Kudzu arrived in the United States as an ornamental vine more than a century ago, first displayed at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 before being promoted for shade, livestock forage and erosion control. What began as a useful garden and agricultural plant eventually spread far beyond where it was intended, covering forests, roadsides and abandoned farmland across the South. Today, researchers are examining another consequence of its dense growth. The US Forest Service says dry kudzu litter can add substantial fuel to dormant-season fires, while vines growing into forest canopies may provide ladder fuels that allow flames to move upwards. Scientists caution that the specific effect of kudzu on wildfire behaviour remains insufficiently studied, but its ability to connect different layers of vegetation has emerged as a reason for concern.How a garden plant became wildfire fuel in AmericaKudzu, scientifically known as Pueraria montana var. lobata, is native to Asia and was introduced to the US in 1876 as an ornamental vine. USDA Forest Service records say it was used to shade porches and courtyards before becoming popular as livestock forage and later as a tool against ...