Detailed information sheet

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Botanical name : Macfadyena unguis-cati Family : Bignoniaceae (trumpet creeper) family Common name : Cat’s claw creeper Also known as : Doxanthus unguis-cati, Doxantha unguis-cati, Bignonia tweediana, Batocydia unguis, cat’s claw vine, cat’s claw ivy, cat''s claw climber, catclaw trumpet, catclaw creeper, funnel creeper, yellow trumpet vine, macfadyena. Where is it originally from? : Central and South America What does it look like? : :Perennial vine with long stems (15 m or more), often rooting at the nodes, and an extensive root system producing large tubers from which individual climbing runners grow. Two leaflets and a three-clawed tendril grow from each leaf stalk; the hooked tendrils are used to climb supports. Juvenile plants have small leaflets (10-20 mm x 4-8 m) and mature leaflets are narrowly egg-shaped (5-16 cm x 1-7 cm) with both surfaces are sparsely clad in scales. Clusters of 1-3 (or up to 15) large, tubular yellow flowers (4-8 cm long) are followed by dry, black, flattened seed capsules that are tapered at both ends (up to 95 cm x 1-2 cm) and contain winged seeds (1-2 cm x 4-6 cm). Are there any similar species? : Why is it weedy? : Grows vigorously into the forest canopy, produces abundant seed, is difficult to control, and can grow in a wide range of conditions, including drought. How does it spread? : Seeds are wind-spread. A network of root tubers develop from stems touching the ground, with each tuber producing more runners, allowing the plant to form a progressively larger and denser mat on the forest floor. What damage does it do? : Climbs standing vegetation, smothering native trees and shrubs. Through a combination of weight and shading, it can cause the death of large canopy trees. It can smother the ground with a thick layer of runners, preventing native species establishing. Which habitats is it likely to invade? : Riparian areas, forest and shrubland edges, and light gaps. It prefers fertile, well drained soils, but appears to tolerate most soil types. What can I do to get rid of it? : 1. Hand pull or dig out small plants (all year round): small infestations only, ensuring removal of all stems, roots and tubers. Dispose of all plant material at a refuse transfer station. 2. Cut and stump paint (spring-summer): cut vines near the base and paint the cut stump with undiluted glyphosate. Leave the vine in the canopy to die, ensuring no vines are touching the ground. Regrowth from stumps can be sprayed with glyphosate (20ml/1L) + penetrant. 3. Overall spray (spring-summer): use for ground layer carpets of vines, glyphosate (20ml/1L) + penetrant. What can I do to stop it coming back? : Monitor the site and treat any regrowth.

For more detailed botanical descriptions of weed species, check out the Plant Conservation Network's website at http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/exotic_plant_life_and_weeds/index.asp

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*The chemical control methods in this manual were devised by Department of Conservation staff for Department of Conservation operations and should not be used as a substitute for the pesticide manufacturer's label instructions. The Department of Conservation takes no responsibility for any liability or damage to any person, property or thing which may occur as a result of the use of any pesticide in accordance with the chemical control methods contained on this website.

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