[CANUFNET] Kudzu vine has been found in Ontario

[Andy Kenney]

Another exotic to watch for, at least in the east!

 

Andy

 

>OFAH FILE: 842

>September 22, 2009

>For Immediate Release

> 

>The vine that ate the south is here!

>Dreaded invasive kudzu vine has been found in Ontario

> 

>It has been taking over fields, roadside signs, fences, trees, and even 

>houses in the United States for years, but now, the kudzu vine 

>(Pueraria montana) has been discovered in Ontario, on the shores of Lake
Erie 

>near the town of Leamington. The kudzu vine is a native of Eastern 

>Asia, and was first brought to North America in 1876 for a centennial 

>exhibition. It was later used for erosion control and promoted as a 

>forage crop. Eventually, it took over much of the southern states and 

>despite attempts to stop it, has continued to spread northward.

> 

>"We have been watching the kudzu vine move toward Canada for some time 

>now, with great apprehension. Our colleagues in the south have been 

>fighting a tough battle with this invader, so we need to take immediate 

>action in Ontario to stop kudzu in its tracks," says Rachel Gagnon, 

>Coordinator of the O.I.P.C. (Ontario Invasive Plant Council), a 

>collective of organizations collaborating to address the spread of alien
invasive plants in Ontario.

>"Fortunately, it's been found early, so unlike previous invaders, such 

>as dog strangling vine, we have the potential to eradicate kudzu and 

>protect Ontario's biodiversity. Controlling this menace is critical to 

>maintaining our native plants and wildlife habitat. If we let kudzu 

>become established, it will cause untold ecological and economic damage."

> 

>Like all other invasive species, when the vine takes to its new 

>environment it spreads quickly at the expense of native species, 

>including trees, which are girdled by the vine; broken by its weight; or
killed by lack of light.

>The kudzu grows at an astounding rate of 30 centimeters (one foot) per 

>day, and in a single season can grow up 30 meters (90 feet) in length.

> 

>Control measures include hand cutting, mowing, controlled burns and 

>herbicide. Grazing animals, such as goats and pigs have also been 

>effective at containing the spread of the vine over the long term.

> 

>The O.I.P.C. is a non-profit, multi-agency organization that 

>facilitates a coordinated response to the threat of invasive plants. 

>The council provides leadership, expertise and a forum to educate, 

>motivate and empower organizations and citizens.

> 

>The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Ontario's largest 

>nonprofit, fish and wildlife conservation organization, houses the 

>O.I.P.C. and supports its efforts. Visit www.ofah.org to learn more about
the O.F.A.H.

> 

>To report a sighting of the kudzu vine or any other invasive species, 

>call the O.F.A.H./M.N.R. Invading Species Hotline at 

>1-800-563-7711.Visit www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca to download a fact 

>sheet on the kudzu vine, or to learn more about other invasive plants.

> 

>Contact

> 

>Rachel Gagnon

>Coordinator, Ontario Invasive Plant Council

>705-748-6324 ext 234

> 

>Lezlie Goodwin

>Communications Coordinator

>705-748-6324 ext 270

> 

 

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