Devoured: The Extraordinary Story of Kudzu, the Vine That Ate the South

Description

Kudzu abounds across the American South. Introduced in the United States in the 1800s as a solution for soil erosion, this invasive vine with Eastern Asian origins came to be known as a pernicious invader capable of smothering everything in its path. To many, the plant's enduring legacy has been its villainous role as the "vine that ate the South." But for a select few, it has begun to signify something else entirely. In its roots, a network of people scattered across the country see a chance at redemption—and an opportunity to remedy a fragment of troubled history.Devoured: The Extraordinary Story of Kudzu, the Vine That Ate the South detangles the complicated story of the South's fickle relationship with kudzu, chronicling the ways the boundless weed has evolved over centuries, and dissecting what climate change could mean for its future across the United States. From architecture teams experimenting with it as a sustainable building material, to clinical applications treating binge-drinking, to chefs harvesting it as a wild edible, environmental journalist Ayurella Horn-Muller investigates how kudzu's notorious reputation in America is gradually being cast aside in favor of its promise. Weaving rigorous research with poignant storytelling, Horn-Muller reveals how the "vine that ate the South" became a vessel to "other" those with origins from beyond U.S. borders. A timely narrative, Devoured challenges readers to reconsider how we decide who and what belongs in the changing landscapes around us.