It is the amazing Kudzu vine. This vine is native to Japan and Southern China. It was first brought to the US in 1876, as part of the Japanese Garden exhibition at the Centennial Exhibition. Its fragrant flowers made it a hit, and it became popular as an ornamental plant.

During the Great Depression, the CCC planted thousands of Kudzu plants to help control erosion. In other areas, the vine did not do well, but the Southeastern US turned out to be the perfect habitat for it, much better than its native environment. On summer days, the vine can grow up to twelve inches a day. There are now more than 7 million acres of Kudzu-covered land in the South, covering trees, buildings, and power lines.

Still, the plant does have many uses. It is edible, both for people and for livestock. It can be used in weaving baskets, making paper, and it is even being tested as the source of a drug to cure alcoholism.