Cat's Claw Creeper
Dolichandra unguis-cati
NEMBA category
English: Cat's Claw Creeper, Yellow Trumpet Vine
Afrikaans: Katteklouranker
Xhosa: amaziphekati
Zulu: amaziphekati
Dolichandra unguis-cati, commonly known as Cat's Claw Creeper, is a vigorous, woody vine with distinctive three-pronged tendrils that resemble cat's claws. This rapidly growing vine can climb high into trees, smothering and killing them.
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Origins: Central and South America
Overall Appearance: A vigorous, woody vine with distinctive three-pronged tendrils that resemble cat's claws that can can climb up to 30 meters or more.
Leaves: Opposite, compound leaves with two leaflets and a modified terminal tendril with three claw-like hooks.
Flowers: Showy, bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers from spring to summer.
Fruits: Long, flattened, brown capsules containing numerous winged seeds.
Seeds: Numerous, winged seeds easily dispersed by wind.
Bark: Woody, brown bark on mature stems.
Wood: Woody, but not typically used for timber.
Soil Type: Tolerates a wide range of soil types.
Aspect: Full sun to partial shade.
Uses: Historically used ornamentally, but its invasive nature makes it unsuitable for planting.
Note: Cat's Claw Creeper is a highly invasive species in South Africa. It can climb over and smother trees, reducing light and nutrients available to native plants. Its rapid growth and dense cover can also disrupt natural ecosystems.
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