Plant Details

Pueraria lobata, Dolichos hirsutus, Pueraria hirsuta, Pueraria triloba, Pachyrhizus thunbergianus

Kudzu

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Pueraria lobata, Dolichos hirsutus, Pueraria hirsuta, Pueraria triloba…

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Common names

4 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Kudzu
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Koedzoeboon
  • Kudzu
French
  • Kudzu
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Pueraria lobata, Dolichos hirsutus, Pueraria hirsuta, Pueraria triloba, Pachyrhizus thunbergianus
Taxonomic placement (Kew): Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep View name reference ↗

The complete kudzu synonym list refers to this variety, including Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum. The different Kurz usage refers to another plant. This profile retains the lobata variety within the broader Pueraria montana species.

Sources [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Botanical family: Fabaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Pueraria (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Kudzu
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Climber
Catalogue size class: Small, Medium
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Flowers, Root
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(5)
Functions:
Nitrogen fixer, Fibre, Carbon farming, Ground cover, Fragrant

Description

Cooked carrot is rich in starch. The carrot can grow up to 1.8 meters and sometimes weighs more than 35 kg. About 10% of the carrot consists of starch, which can be extracted and used as a crispy coating for fried foods or as a thickening agent for soups. It can also be processed into noodles or used as a gelling agent in salads. In Japan, this plant is an important food. Flowers can be cooked or pickled. Stems and young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They are very nutritious, and the young shoots have a taste that resembles a mix between beans and peas.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 282936; name ID 2537215; Pueraria DC.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Name heading and taxonomic status; The complete kudzu synonym list converges on this variety, including Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum. The different Kurz usage is excluded. Photographs must retain the lobata identity rather than the broader species alone.

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Taxonomic synonyms or horticultural name section. The complete kudzu synonym list converges on this variety, including Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum. The different Kurz usage is excluded. Photographs must retain the lobata identity rather than the broader species alone.

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Dolichos hirsutus Thunb.
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Taxonomic synonyms or horticultural name section. The complete kudzu synonym list converges on this variety, including Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum. The different Kurz usage is excluded. Photographs must retain the lobata identity rather than the broader species alone.

    Source checked on .

  5. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum.
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Taxonomic synonyms or horticultural name section. The complete kudzu synonym list converges on this variety, including Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum. The different Kurz usage is excluded. Photographs must retain the lobata identity rather than the broader species alone.

    Source checked on .

  6. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Pueraria triloba (Aiton) Makino
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Taxonomic synonyms or horticultural name section. The complete kudzu synonym list converges on this variety, including Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum. The different Kurz usage is excluded. Photographs must retain the lobata identity rather than the broader species alone.

    Source checked on .

  7. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Pachyrhizus thunbergianus Siebold & Zucc.
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Taxonomic synonyms or horticultural name section. The complete kudzu synonym list converges on this variety, including Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum. The different Kurz usage is excluded. Photographs must retain the lobata identity rather than the broader species alone.

    Source checked on .