Dolichandra unguis-cati

Accession Count: 10
Common Name: cats claw vine
Family Name: Bignoniaceae
Botanical Name: Dolichandra unguis-cati
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Macfadyena unguis-cati
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:

The cat’s claw is a vine with hook-like thorns that appear to look like a cat's claw. This species has two leaflets with a terminal, three-parted, clam-like tendril. The leaves are dark green and it is a winter evergreen.


Compound: Mac ung
Geographic Origin: Central America
Ecozone Origin: Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: The cat’s claw Vine originated in Central America (ex. Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, etc.) as well as South America (ex. Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, etc.). It was found in the West Indies and Mexico all the way to Argentina. In the United States, according to USDA it was introduced to the Southwest (Texas), the South (Florida, Georgia, etc.), and Hawaii. Florida is the has the populous abundance of this plant. In Florida it is now considered invasive. It is named for having a three pronged looking claw. The claws are what the vines uses to grab other trees to continue to grow.
Cultivation Notes:

Cat's claw vine thrives in hot sunny locations and is especially dramatic when grown over ramadas and fences. This species grows at a fast rate be sure to prune the faded blooms seasonally.


Ethnobotany:

The plant can be used in many different ways for both humans and animals. The main use this plant provides is shade. The cat’s claw Vine is mostly known for growing up walls and on top of terraces. This provides shade for the wall that it is growing up. Also anything under the terrace would be covered. Another obvious reason is for style; it can be used to cover up an ugly wall or fence since that’s where the cat’s claw thrives when growing. It also was used as a healing herb, the bark and roots have been used for centuries by South Americans as a cure for inflammation in the intestines and joints (2).



Height: 20 - 50 feet
Width: 11 - 15 feet
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Spring
Color: Yellow
Function: Shade
Spread: Spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Invasive
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Moderate Water Use

Citations:
  1. Urban Landscape Committee. Desert Ground Covers and Vines. Arizona Native Plant Society, 1991.
  2. verywellhealth.com. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
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Dolichandra unguis-cati