Declawing the Dolichandra…

Some invasive plants can radically alter landscapes making them look like monocultures, alien, or even

The psedustipule or “claw” from which this plant gets its name. Credit: Niels Proctor, UF/IFAS

relatively ugly. In South Florida, Brazilian pepper and old-world climbing fern come to mind. However, there are exceptions. The cat’s-claw vine (Dolichandra unguis-cati) has beautiful flowers that often shower the canopies of supporting trees and structures this time of year. It is a true harbinger of spring in the coastal regions of the Southeastern U.S. – an area that often only has subtle horticultural cues to infer a sense of seasonality. However, this species is an aggressive spreader and invasive species that is better left admired in its native environment. Originally from tropical dry forests in the Caribbean and Central and South America, this vine can put a strangle-hold on both maintained landscapes and natural areas without human intervention. The flowers, although beautiful, often do not persist beyond a short window of weeks in late March through April.

 

A member of bignonicaeae (e.g., like tabebuias and jacaranda) the flower of this vine is stunning… just don’t let it distract from its invasive status. Credit: John Roberts, UF/IFAS

 

If this plant is on your landscape, it’s probably a good idea to remove it. Your other plants will thank you for the freed-up sunlight. Hand pulling of young vines is suggested and established individuals can be killed by cutting at the base of the vine. However, these plants typically have fuel reserves for future growth (i.e., belowground tubers), so treating the exposed vascular tissue after they have been cut with a glyphosate is also suggested.

The belowground tuber of an uprooted cat’s-claw vine. Credit Niels Proctor, UF/IFAS

There are native vines with yellow flowers that can act as alternatives including wild allamanda and Carolina jessamine, or something else from this publication that is non-invasive – including the yellow-flowered but non-native butterfly / orchid vine.

 

Although appealing – please consider an alternative. Credit: John Roberts, UF/IFAS

 

 

 

Cat’s-Claw Vine, Dolichandra unguis-cati-A Showy but Invasive Plant in Florida from UF/IFAS EDIS

Dolichandra unguis-catia from UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Dolichandra unguis-catia from Wikipedia

My webpage

 

 

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Posted: April 12, 2022


Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, NATURAL RESOURCES, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Bignoniaceae, Invasive, Invasive Species, Not Actually A Cat, Vine


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