[7] Pueraria montana also has large tuberous roots that take up more than half of its biomass[4] and can reach soil depths of up to 16 feet.

[5] Flowers can form on the vines which have a distinct grape-like fragrance,[9] pink and purple-colored petals,[10] and are produced during the blooming season that occurs from July to September.

[4] Infestations of P. montana can decrease biodiversity of various types of plants, animals, and insects that can all be affected by the reduction and killing of natives.

[7] This twining vine can also readily invade disturbed and abandoned areas,[9] as well as natural habitats by girdling the trunks of trees and stems reinforced with wood.

[4] In addition, the root system of P. montana is leguminous in nature because it helps to enrich the soil through its association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria,[4] but once the plant has infested a particular habitat its rapid growth can be difficult to control.

According to Kato-Noguchi (2023), the fixed nitrogen of P. montana cannot only be transferred into the soil, but when in high concentrations, it is capable of leaching into various bodies of water and may impact aquatic ecosystems.

[7] Furthermore, this invasive species can also biosynthesize isoprene that gets released into the atmosphere in large amounts and can in turn influence air quality.

Herbicide applications have effectively produced high destruction rates, leading to decreased infestations and lower management costs, particularly when applied annually.

[11] Picloram has historically been the most effective herbicide for controlling Kudzu populations but is detrimental to the environment by leaving soil residues and contamination of groundwater.

[11] The biodegradable herbicide Glyphosate has been proven to be effective for controlling Kudzu populations, is safe to use in close proximity to water,[11] and does minimal damage to natural habitats.

[12] Prescribed burning may be used in some areas following herbicide application in order to clear out leaf litter and catalyze the recolonization of native species.

[14] This provides evidence that leaf-feeding insects could serve as host-specific biological control agents against Pueraria montana var.

lobata also has hepatoprotective properties and can be used in combination with other botanical drugs to enhance the effects of treating acute liver injury.

[10] The phytochemical puerarin, which exists in the root of Kudzu, has been shown to inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end (AGEs) products related to skin-aging.

Also, the melanogenesis inhibitory activity of Pueraria montana is of special interest in cosmetics, particularly in Asia where lighter skin is preferred amongst women.

The production of this powder in Japan was concentrated among the Kuzu (国栖) people who once lived along the Yoshino River in Nara Prefecture, which gave the plant its Japanese (and later loaned into English kudzu) name.