Mountain Pueraria

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Mountain pueraria (lat. Pueraria montana) - a perennial climbing plant of the genus Pueraria (lat. Pueraria), reckoned to the legume family (lat. Fabaceae). The noticeably hairy stems of Pueraria alpine aspire to the heavens if they find vertical support for themselves, or spread over the surface of the earth when support is not available. The root system is represented by rope roots and tuber-roots, rich in starch and water.

What's in your name

The official name of the genus "Pueraria" was given to the plants in honor of a botanist from Switzerland with the surname Puerari (Marc Nicolas Puerari), who lived and worked for the science of "botany" from 1766 to 1845.

The specific epithet "montana" ("mountain") is assigned to the plant for its preference to grow in the highlands of Southeast Asia.

Pueraria alpine has at least three subspecies, which are sometimes called varieties. In general, this species is very closely related to other species of the genus, and sometimes it is difficult for an inexperienced gardener to distinguish one species from another. Only botanists are able to see the subtle morphological differences between the two. In addition, different species of the genus cross very easily, forming new hybrids. Therefore, it is often used for different plant species of the genus Pueraria.

common name

"Kudzu" ("Kudzu")

Description

Pueraria alpine is a perennial plant with a root system represented by rather large tubers and roots extending from them, resembling a clothesline. The tubers are high in starch and water, promoting root growth and strengthening of the entire plant. Root mass can account for up to 40 percent of the total plant biomass.

Dark brown herbaceous stems grow up to 20 meters long in a year, continuing their growth up to 30 meters. The stems are covered with noticeable hairs and have antennae, with which they cling to suitable surfaces (in the wild, these are rocks or trees, in culture - walls of buildings, trees, pergolas, verandas and other supports specially built by man). Where there are no vertical surfaces to cling to, Pueraria alpine grows like a groundcover, protecting the ground from drying out. The nodes on the stem, in contact with the ground, take root, additionally securing the vine to the ground.

The large leaves of Pueraria mountain are complex, consist of three independent leaves, which can be lobed (with 2-3 lobes) or ovoid. The underside of the leaf plate is hairy. Leaves have learned to fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching nitrogen-poor soils with it.

Elongated clusters of inflorescences (up to 20 centimeters long) are formed by bright red-violet flowers with a yellow spot in the center up to 2.5 centimeters long. The flowers resemble pea flowers and exude a pleasant aroma. Flowering lasts from July to November.

The pod fruit is about 8 centimeters long and contains 3 beans inside. The surface of the flaps of the flat follicle is covered with hairs. The appearance of the fruit is entirely dependent on pollinators attracted by the scent and brightness of the flower petals. More often reproduction occurs vegetatively.

Usage

Pueraria alpine is a very decorative fast-growing climbing plant, capable of quickly entwining large areas with its stems with large leaves. Bright inflorescences adorn dense thickets of lianas for four months, attracting beneficial pollinating insects to the garden. The landing site can be sunny or partial shade.

In the southeast of the United States of America, Mountain Pueraria has become very popular when you need to shade a balcony, terrace, garden gazebo, porch. The plant has taken root so well in the southern lands that it has become a "structural parasite" that envelops entire structures with a continuous deciduous carpet, if no one looks after the plant and nothing interferes with its growth. With its aggressive behavior, Pueraria alpine has earned the name "The vine that ate the south" ("The vine that ate the south").