Family: Bignoniaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Dolichandra unguis-cati, commonly known as cat’s claw vine, is a fast-growing woody vine native to Mexico and tropical regions of Central and South America. It is easily recognized by its bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers and distinctive claw-like tendrils that allow it to climb aggressively over trees, fences, and structures. This species has been widely introduced as an ornamental plant due to its showy blooms and ability to quickly cover unsightly areas. It has also been used for erosion control and as a groundcover, but its vigorous growth habit often makes it difficult to manage in cultivated landscapes.

Risks & Threats
In Hawaiʻi, cat’s claw vine is naturalized on multiple islands and is spreading in some areas, demonstrating traits that are cause for concern. It grows rapidly, forming dense mats that smother native vegetation, block sunlight, and outcompete other plants for resources. Its ability to reproduce both by seeds and underground tubers makes it especially persistent and challenging to eradicate. These characteristics allow it to alter forest structure and degrade natural habitats, posing a threat to tropical island ecosystems. Because of these risks, it is recommended to avoid planting this species and instead choose low-risk or native alternatives whenever possible.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized widely outside native range (Hawaiian Islands, Australia, New Caledonia, South Africa, Florida)
  
• History of repeated introductions
  
• Agricultural, forestry, and environmental weed (alters/displaces native species)
  
• Broad climate tolerance (USDA zones 8a–11a; 50–1500 m elevation)
  
• Shade tolerant (grows under forest canopies)
  
• Tolerates most soil types
  
• Climbing/smothering growth (forms dense mats, smothers trees)
  
• Produces root tubers and stolons (geophyte)
  
• Produces viable seed; apomictic (asexual seed production)
  
• Vegetative fragmentation spreads easily
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind and water
  
• Tolerates mutilation, cutting, and fire (sprouts readily)

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, burrs, allelopathy, or parasitism
  
• Non-toxic to animals and humans
  
• Not bird-dispersed or animal-dispersed externally
  
• No seed bank (seeds short-lived, <12 months)
  
• Not a prolific seed producer