Kudzu.

Date: Sat, 26 Feb 1994 13:55:40 -0500
Sender: "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list <HERB.TREARN.BITNET>
From: Deborah Duchon <antdadx.GSUSG.GSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Kudzu

Someone asked if kudzu was imported from Japan because it helped stop erosion. The anser is yes, that was part of the reason. At that time, the soil in the South had been destroyed by cotton and erosion was a really big problem. There were massive projects started just to get kudzu to grow. There was even a Kudzu Club of America that was dedicated to getting a million acres of Southern lands growing kudzu.

It did the trick. Not only does kudzu stop soil erosion, but, being a legume, it adds nitrogen to the soil. Also, being deciduous, its leaves die back every fall and turn to mulch. A totally eroded field, left to fallow in kudzu, is usable again in three years. That's pretty good.

The problem is that it grows *so fast* and *so vertically* (up trees. strangling them). Overall, though, kudzu is one terrific plant. --

Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 11:37:04 -0500
Sender: "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list <HERB.TREARN.BITNET>
From: jean reese <jereese.SILVER.UCS.INDIANA.EDU>
Subject: Re: Kudzu

> Do you know how to find out more about the Kudzu Festival in E Tenn? I'd like to attend. It's one of my favorite plants! Thanks.--

I went in 1990. It was FUN! My husband and I ate kudzu, watched kudzu being made into paper and clothing, and generally had a wonderful time. It was run by the New Prospect Craft Center in Knoxville, and was held in the World's Fair Park, so you could contact the craft center, or the World's Fair Park, or the Chamber of Commerce in Knoxville to find out when it's being held this year. It was in April in 1990. I'm from the area, and my husband loves kudzu ...

The thing I enjoyed most was watching kudzu paper being made. The first instructions had me ROTFL, "first you run over the kudzu with your lawnmower..."