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Kudzu

Pueraria montana var. lobata

Found in roadsides, waste areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

-85
Severe harm

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 59%

Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to moist

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Virginia.

At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
July to October

Not yet recorded · Height · Spread

Recorded in 82 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Virginia. Shared habitat, not food. 73 animals.

All wildlife of Virginia

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Pueraria

  • Anticarsia gemmatalisVelvetbean Caterpillar Moth
  • Epargyreus clarusSilver-Spotted Skipper
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
  • Telegonus cellusGolden Banded-Skipper , Golden-Banded Skipper
  • Urbanus proteusLong-Tailed Skipper, Bean Leaf Roller
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Fabaceae
Flower color
Pink or purple

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNRTNR
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources