Abstract
In this paper, the authors, in order to make clear the maintenance mechanism of the population of Kudzu vines, investigated the distribution pattern of rooted nodes and stumps. In the area examined, the stumps having the maximum root system of R-VII were found. The number of rooted nodes and stumps decreased in the higher rank of their root systems (R-I→R-II→…). The rooted nodes having root systems R-I or R-II and the rooted nodes and stumps having root system R-III were distributed contagiously forming loose clumps. Their clump sizes were less than 400/256m^2. However, the stumps having root system R-IV or R-V and over tended to be distributed at random or uniformly. It can be considered from the facts mentioned above that, with the growth of rooted nodes to stumps in the well-developed population of Kudzu vines, the number of rooted nodes decreased and their distribution pattern tended toward randomness or uniformity from contagiousness.
