Additional notes (click to expand)

Commemorative

Named for Marc Nicolas Puerari (1766-1845), Swiss botanist born in Geneva who spent most of his life as professor of botany in Copenhagen. Gave his herbarium to De Candolle of Geneva.
Stearn, W.T. (1996). Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. Cassell.

Medicinal

In TCM: The kudzu vine, known as Ge Gen in China, is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985]. Recent research has shown that compounds called 'daidzin' and 'daidzein', which are contained in the roots and the flowers, are a safe and effective method for treating alcohol abuse[Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995].
http://www.pfaf.org, https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pueraria+montana+lobata

Nomenclature

Family name changed from Papilionaceae to Fabaceae.
http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/

Geographical distribution

  • Asia-Temperate, China
  • Asia-Temperate, Eastern Asia, Japan
  • Asia-Temperate, Eastern Asia, Korea
  • Asia-Temperate, Eastern Asia, Taiwan
  • Asia-Temperate, Russian Far East
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, West Himalaya
  • Asia-Tropical, Indo-China, Laos
  • Asia-Tropical, Indo-China, Myanmar
  • Asia-Tropical, Indo-China, Thailand
  • Asia-Tropical, Indo-China, Vietnam
  • Asia-Tropical, Malesia
  • Pacific, Southwestern Pacific

Pueraria montana var. lobata

Family: FABACEAE
Genus: Pueraria
Species: montana
Variety: lobata
Common names: Kudzu Vine
Distribution summary: Asia, S.W.Pacific
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H3 - Half hardy; unheated greenhouse/mild winter
Habitat: Thickets and open forest
Garden status: Not currently grown
Reason for growing: Commemorative, medicinal


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