How kudzu became the ‘vine that ate the South’

Kudzu, an invasive vine native to Asia, was introduced to the U.S. in 1876 and later used for soil erosion control during the 1930s Dust Bowl. It now threatens ecosystems by smothering native plants and accelerating habitat loss, exacerbated by climate change. Conservationists like Ben Nanny and Sam Adams highlight its rapid growth and challenges in eradicating its deep-rooted tubers.