Is there kudzu (Pueraria) at UBC Bot G? If there is, could you tell me approximate location? Thanks! - frog
No, kudzu has never been grown at the UBC Botanical Garden. I know that it thrives as far north as Kentucky. I wonder how it would do in this climate. I moved to Vancouver from Atlanta, where kudzu is rampant. I would be very hesitant to try this plant anywhere. I have seen it cover old houses and smother large trees.
Washington site history: Kudzu infestation first brought to the attention of the Clark County Noxious Weed Control Board in September 2001. Four plants covering 1,000 feet were located. Vines were removed by hand and bagged. Four root crowns located were treated with Garlon 4 undiluted to each cut stem at the root crown. Treated root crowns were marked with stakes to aid in future location. Bagged vegetation was sent to a landfill. Adjacent property was surveyed for additional plants but none were found. (Additional details: Clark County and State Noxious Weed Control Board files) http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weed_info/Pueraria_lobata.html I do not see it listed by A.L. Jacobson in the Annotated Checklist portion of Wild Plants of Greater Seattle - Second Edition (2008).
As far as I'm aware, it can't even be grown at all in Britain. So I suspect it would probably be safe to try in Vancouver, but why take the risk?
Four kudzu sites are known in the Pacific Northwest, three Oregon sites are undergoing intensive treatment. Several sites have been reported and additional kudzu finds are expected. Prior to 2000 Kudzu was not found west of Texas. http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/profile_kudzu.shtml
Thank you all so much for the info! I was not thinking of growing it, but there is a fungus that grows on it that I was interested in seeing. Years ago, someone told me they thought UBC Botanical Garden had a Kudzu specimen, but in hindsight they were likely seeing misidentifying one of the heavy vines. cheers! frog
