Dolichandra unguis-cati (cat's claw creeper)

Dolichandra unguis-cati is a vigorous, woody vine that can climb up to 15 m or higher. Due to its showy yellow flowers, it has been widely introduced as a garden ornamental. It has escaped from cultivation and become a significant invader of cultivated orchards, riparian corridors, natural forest remnants and disturbed areas, such as roadsides and urban spaces. D. unguis-cati clings tenaciously to any substrate with adventitious roots and clawed tendrils. This vigorous growth allows it to sprawl over other vegetation and, through a combination of both shading and weight, it can kill even large canopy trees. In the absence of climbing support, D. unguis-cati grows along the ground forming a thick carpet that inhibits the growth and seed germination of native understorey vegetation including native grasses, herbs and seedlings of shrubs and trees. Currently, this vine species is listed as invasive in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Mauritius, New Caledonia, Cuba, the Bahamas and the USA including Hawaii, Florida and Texas (Kairo et al., 2003; Henderson, 2001; Weber et al., 2008; Weeds of Australia, 2011; Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012; Randall, 2012; PIER, 2016).