Alien Invasives
Cat's Claw Creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati)
05 October 2016
- Other names
-
Macfadyena unguis-cati (syn.)
Katteklouranker (Afrikaans)
amaziphekati (isiZulu & isiXhosa) - Invasive status
-
NEMBA Category 1b
CARA 2002 Category 1 - Description
- The cat's claw creeper is an invasive evergreen climber, capable of reaching 9 metres high with its claw-like tendrils. The leaves are bright green, oblong to lance-shaped with a terminal, three-part, claw-like tendril. Bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers appear from September to February in clusters of two or three, sometimes solitary. Flattened, brown, leathery pods carry the winged, papery seeds.
- Originally from
- South America (Mexico to Argentina)
- Where is it a problem?
- KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng
- How does it spread?
- Seed dispersal by wind
- Why is it a problem?
- Overtops, strangles and smothers indigenous forest and plantation species especially forest margins, woodlands, plantations, roadsides and urban open spaces.
- Planting alternatives
- Canary Creeper (Senecio tamoides), Black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata), Traveller’s Joy (Clematis brachiata)
- Uses
- Ornamental
Please help...
Any donations would be greatly appreciated and are much needed to support these efforts. Please consider setting up a stop order with your bank for a regular monthly contribution rather than (or in addition to) a one-off donation. This would greatly assist us in budgeting and planning for the future.
Please EFT to the following account:
| Bank: | Nedbank |
| Branch name: Branch code: |
Morning Glen Branch 198 765 |
| Account Name: | Sandspruit Ullmann Park Association |
| Account Number: | 1014 852 641 |
| Reference: | Your name |
Any questions? Please contact us by clicking here.