Random overgrowth is called Divine Vine

RALEIGH, N.C. — In the last few months, the perceived image of Jesus has been reported on a half-eaten Kit Kat bar, a slice of cheese toast and the seat of a Las Vegas toilet.

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Associated Press

Kudzu vines grow in a shape some refer to as the "Kudzu Jesus" alongside railroad tracks near downtown Raleigh, N.C.

The latest miraculous manifestation of his image is in a 30-foot-high growth of North Carolina weeds dubbed Kudzu Jesus.

He snakes up a utility pole, forming a majestic trunk and a head seemingly bowed in prayer or agony. A pair of arms appears to spread along the wires in each direction, inviting the world into a leafy embrace.

From the rear, he looks like Christ the Redeemer, the 100-foot statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro from a pointed mountaintop.

“It does look like him,” said Pete Surrette, 50, walking past with ketchup-stained pants and a Ziploc bag full of toiletries. “He’s got the outstretched arms and everything. I walk these tracks and never noticed it. It was just a bush to me.”

John Morris was standing on the bridge a few weeks ago, taking pictures of passing trains, when a few patrons of Boylan Bridge Brewpub wandered over and asked if he was snapping shots of the vine Christ. He posted an image on his Web site, www.goodnightraleigh.com, showing Jesus bathed in a golden light, lit by the Raleigh skyline.

News, like kudzu, spread. So did jokes, as in: I am the way, the truth and the plant life.

“Poor Jesus,” quipped a wisecracker on newraleigh.com. “Guy hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in 2,000 years, and now he’s got to pull a double shift at the edge of a scrub lot. No respect.”