I have been down to North and South Carolina several times to visit my sister and I have seen these vines growing everywhere. She told me what they were and how they are out of control.
Anyway, I have read 3 novels in the past few months where this vine has been worked into the story lines. This last one, they are all through the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and they are said to grow "a foot a day". The book I read before that one, the vine was used for all kinds of specialty dishes, salads etc. It is also used in medical research.
I found this so very interesting and I thought some of you may too.
http://www.jjanthony.com/kudzu/
MORE (animal shapes)
http://www.jjanthony.com/kudzu/kudzoo/index.html

Hey Molly,

Just saw your post. Wow. A foot a day? And I thought Wisteria was insidious. My passion vine is almost as bad. I'm constantly pulling up new vines that pop up everywhere. Hope they find a way to control that stuff.

We definitely have kudzu here in my home town too. Really like the grape like scent that these plants give off though. They actually have a kudzu farm somewhere here in Alabama. The root of the plant can be ground into a flower which can be used for various things. Not an expert with kudzu though. Believe the leaves can are edible too, but I never have eaten them (nor will I). Did a quick search and found this cool link of information.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... tml?cat=32

Yep, it's all around here and very difficult to get rid of. You go to sleep at might and when you wake up in the morning, you're covered in Kudzu.

Mimosa is the new Kudzu. It's really hard to get rid of too.

Not as familiar with the plant as I am the tree, my Mimosa tree has the most seedlings on it I have ever seen it produce in the entire 15 years I have been here. If the plant is as hardy as this tree, I am sure its rampant. My entire back lawn is covered in Mimosa seedlings.

Yeah, that's what I meant, mahvin. Mimosa trees and seedlings have taken over my yard too.

Mimosa trees are beautiful when in bloom with all those nice pink furry blossoms.

You're right about that, molly. Mature Mimosa trees look pretty but they spread like weeds and the seedlings have to be dug up by the roots or they come right back.

That's what lawnmowers and droughts for Tux. lol

We have only one Mimosa tree but it's been so dry (until recently w/ Lee) that I don't even believe it flowered this year (it may have, but just don't remember seeing the flowers). We do, however, have wysteria vine problem. Can't seem to kill them and they love drought. lol