Home | > | List of cultivated families | > | Bignoniaceae | > | Dolichandra | > | unguis-cati |
Synonyms: |
Bignonia tweediana Lindl. Bignonia unguis-cati L. Doxantha unguis-cati (L.) Rehder Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A.H. Gentry |
Common names: | Cat's claw creeper (English) |
Description: | Climber, sometimes ascending to great heights in trees, sometimes creeping along the ground. Underground tubers large. Leaves simple on lower growth but mainly 2-foliolate above; leaflets ovate to lanceolate. Tendrils 3-fid, curving like cat's claws. Flowers spectacular, but usually short-lived. Corolla yellow, 5-7 cm across the lobes. Fruit very long and narrow, 30-90 × 1-2 cm. Seeds 3-4 × 1 cm, winged. |
Notes: | Very commonly grown garden plant now well naturalised, sometimes in great abundance, but so far, only within and close to the cities of Harare and Mutare. It is very likely more widespread but under-recorded. |
Derivation of specific name: | unguis-cati: from Latin, unguis, meaning claw and cati, a cat. |
Flowering time: | Sep - Dec |
Worldwide distribution: | Native to Central and South America; a cultivated plant or naturalised weed in other countries. |
Growth form(s): | Climber, liane. |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Image last updated: | Saturday 10 December 2016 |
Literature: |
Davies, H.F. (Undated). Alphabetical Catalogue of Plants growing in the gardens of Ewanrigg National Park, Arcturus. [Possibly not published (typed only)] Page 5. Henderson, L. (2001). Alien weeds and invasive plants Plant Protection Research Institute Handbook No. 12. Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa. Page 62. (Includes a picture). |
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