Distribution of Pueraria lobata in and Around New York City

Abstract

FRANKEL, E. (Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY 10468 and The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10468). Distribution of Pueraria lobata in and around New York City. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 116: 390-394. 1989.-The distribution of Pueraria lobata, Kudzu, in and around New York City was studied, based on observations and reports by field botanists familiar with local flora. Kudzu colonies were reported in all five boroughs of New York City, with the greatest number on Staten Island. Additional stands were seen in neighboring counties: Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk; also in Middlesex, Monmouth and Passaic counties in New Jersey; Plymouth, Bristol, Bamstable, and Hampden counties in Massachusetts; and New Haven and Fairfield counties in Connecticut. The possibility of Kudzu becoming a noxious weed displacing local native flora was indicated. The availability of Kudzu tubers and starch for culinary purposes in Oriental food markets and health food stores was also reported.