Cats Claw Creeper

Dolichandra unguis-cati Cats Claw Creeper

DESCRIPTION

Aggressive perennial woody vine that can ascend into and overwhelm forest canopies. Vigorous root and tuber system. Leaves with arrow-shaped leaflets 5-25mm long with a three-clawed tendril 3-17mm growing in between.

FLOWERS AND FRUIT

Yellow bell-shaped flowers 4-10cm long by up to 10cm wide spring to summer. Narrow flat pods 15-50cm long by 8-12mm wide mature to dark brown; each contains numerous oblong papery winged seeds 10- 40mm long by 4-10mm wide.

HABITAT AND RANGE

Disturbed areas, including roadsides, waterways and rainforest margins, throughout coastal Eastern Australia. Native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and tropical South America, it is a highly invasive, problematic species.