kudzus
Southern smothering plants
Kudzus is the plural of kudzu, a fast-growing vine native to East Asia that has become notorious in the southeastern United States for smothering other vegetation.
Kudzu can grow a foot per day in summer, blanketing trees, buildings, and power lines: The abandoned barn disappeared under kudzus.
The plant has become a symbol of invasive species and unchecked growth.
Soft bed covering
- smotherDeprive of air
- overrunSpread throughout uncontrollably
- engulfCompletely surround and cover
- envelopSurround and cover fully
overspread · shroud · cloak · drape · obscure · bury · swallow · canopy
Pod-producing plant family
- perennialRecurring each year
- vineTrailing climbing plant
- nitrogen-fixingConverting N₂ to ammonia
- trifoliateWith three leaf divisions
leaves · purple flowers · taproot · fodder · erosion control · forage · deciduous · twining
Trailing climbing plant
- infestationPest takeover situation
- non-nativeNot indigenous here
- spreadTo distribute widely
- colonizationForeign territorial takeover
outcompete · encroachment · eradication · monoculture · aggressive · weed · displacement · pest
Rapid increase in quantity
- rapidMoving with haste
- exponentialIncreasing by constant ratio
- spreadingExtending over space
- runnersThose who race on foot
tendrils · climbing · rooting · vigorous · relentless · unstoppable · regeneration · rhizomes
Of the region below
- mile-a-minuteExtremely rapid pace
- roadsideAdjacent to pavement
- abandonedLeft behind completely
- derelictAbandoned or neglectful
rural · telephone poles · trees · buildings · landscape · soil conservation · Japan · porch
blanket
Soft bed covering
envelop · overspread · shroud · cloak · drape · obscure · bury · swallow · canopy · carpet
legume
Pod-producing plant family
- perennialRecurring each year
- vineTrailing climbing plant
- nitrogen-fixingConverting N₂ to ammonia
trifoliate · leaves · purple flowers · taproot · fodder · erosion control · forage · deciduous · twining
vine
Trailing climbing plant
- infestationPest takeover situation
- non-nativeNot indigenous here
- spreadTo distribute widely
colonization · outcompete · encroachment · eradication · monoculture · aggressive · weed · displacement · pest · dominance
proliferation
Rapid increase in quantity
- rapidMoving with haste
- exponentialIncreasing by constant ratio
- spreadingExtending over space
runners · tendrils · climbing · rooting · vigorous · relentless · unstoppable · regeneration · rhizomes · nodes
Southern
Of the region below
- mile-a-minuteExtremely rapid pace
- roadsideAdjacent to pavement
- abandonedLeft behind completely
derelict · rural · telephone poles · trees · buildings · landscape · soil conservation · Japan · porch
kudzusindigenous plants
Vegetation original to area
native vegetation · endemic species · keystone species · native grasses · native wildflowers
kudzusstunted growth
Incomplete physical development
bonsai · mosses · lichens · alpine plants · succulents
kudzusnative plants
Flora original to area
indigenous species · native vegetation · wildflowers · naturalized species