Kudzu: The Cancer of the South, Mankind’s Savior?
April 16, 2008 · Print This Article
I live in the South, where Kudzu stretches for miles and miles. I’ve seen abandoned buildings completely taken over, and forests covered in an eerie Kudzu canopy. The oft-maligned, extremely invasive plant has been called ‘the plant that ate the South’. The idea of Kudzu ever having a positive use would leave many Southerners scratching their heads.
So it’s surprising to learn that Kudzu actually has many benefits - and might even be one answer to the world’s energy crisis.
What would you call a plant that may be mankind’s next great source of renewable biofuels?
That can leech the noxious chemicals out of contaminated soils?
That is an essential component of Chinese traditional medicines; a potential control drug for an alcoholic’s cravings; a plant whose starch makes pies and gravies light and delicious; not to mention a plant that can prevent stream banks from eroding, naturally increase the fertility of depleted farmers’ fields; can be ground up to produce fine paper and is a beloved by goats as forage?
I can tell you one thing - landowners around here would be more than happy to unload tons of this stuff on whoever wants it. That is, unless the greed that is such an ingrained part of human nature takes over and turns it into the next big cash crop. Yeah, that seems more likely.
Link [CBC News]
Photo: Flickr user meshmar2
Related Posts:
Kudzu Ethanol Plant Planned in TennesseeHouses Covered in Gold: When Kudzu Attacks
Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Thinks Seven Generations Out, Will Leave Newly Discovered Oil Fields Untapped For Now
Interesting. Never heard of the stuff, but some quick googling shows that it makes stuff look rather planet-of-the-apes like in just a few years. Wild.
But hooray for alternatives to corn. Especially ones that practically grow themselves.
The stuff is brutal. On some scenic drives here in Asheville NC, the view has been totally obstructed by huge nets of Kudzu that has grown outrageously fast in recent years. It’s pretty good news to hear that something can be done with it!
I love the guy’s priorities in the article…
BUT WAIT, IT CAN MAKE PIES!!! DELICIOUS GRAVY AND PIE!!!!
Although from some other stuff I’m reading, Kudzu can contribute to groundlevel ozone. If I find a link for something that says HOW, and not just states the claim, I’ll post it.
There’s been some interesting stuff on ground level ozone affecting scent-driven pollinators too… scary stuff.
Interesting point, Roy. I’m working on a post about scent-driven pollinators right now, caused by pollution rather than ground level ozone… should be up today or tomorrow.
Yeah, I did the same thing. Glad the issue is getting some notice, if even just among green blogs for the moment.
Here’s the source I cited:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080411-flowers-pollution.html
Ground level ozone is one of the primary ingredients in smog, afterall.