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Kudzu Argumentative Essay

Decent Essays

1876 was a year to remember in the American culture. During this year at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, we as Americans were introduced to many wonders that we still use or come in contact with today. For example the telephone or the type writer, though the make and uses of these devices have changed, if it were not for the exposition who knows what we as Americans would be utilizing today. But not all items introduced at the exposition continued to be beneficial to the everyday American. Some items would later become more of a nuisance rather than a benefit to the country for the decades to follow. What item might you ask this would be? That item would be Kudzu. Kudzu is a fast growing vine from eastern Asia. This vine was introduced …show more content…

Eventually this news spread and in the 1970’s the government declared Kudzu a weed, or a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants. (3) Then in 1998 Kudzu was declared a noxious weed or a plant considered harmful to both animals and the environment. (4) Kudzu now infest 31 states. This vine now covers 7 million acres in the United States. The cost of the damage caused by this plant has surpassed the 100 million dollar mark and continues to grow. Because of this, Kudzu is now banned in four states. Getting rid of Kudzu is a difficult task but not impossible. Over the years we have also discovered there are many alternatives Kudzu can be used for. For instance the blossoms are used in teas, the leaves can be eaten similar to turnip greens, food for livestock, and is even being used as an herbal supplement for recovering alcoholics. While we search and find many other uses for Kudzu, the problem of its quick growth and abundance in the US remains. Scientist continue to look for solutions to this problem. But, has nature already provided the solution man needs? If so how can we take advantage of such a

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