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Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.)L.G.Lohmann
Catclawvine
Cat's-claw Creeper
Cat's-claw Trumpet
Synonym(s): Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A.H. Gentry
Not native to Florida
This plant is an invasive exotic that is altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives.
This species should never be planted (many with this designation are prohibited by law), and generally should be removed whenever possible.
This invasive vine can be found mostly in disturbed sites scattered throughout the state. Native to Central and South America plus the Caribbean, it has spread through tropical and temperate regions worldwide.
Dolichandra unguis-cati is a high climbing vine that is rooted in the soil. Stems may be as large as 6cm (2-1/3 in.) in diameter. Leaves are opposite with each leaf composed of two leaflets with a tendril extending from the junction between them. The tendril splits into three parts that are curved, the namesake 'cat's-claw'. The ovate to leanceolate leaflets have entire margins and are 3-7cm (1-3/16 to 2-3/4 in.) long. The yellow flowers are trumpet-shaped with orange-ish lines in the throat and the corolla flaring into five unequal-sized lobes. The fruit is a 25-95cm (~9-3/4 to 37-1/2 in.) long flattened capsule turning from green to brown when mature and containing 100-200 seeds.
Another vine with opposite leaves of two leaflets each is crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), but it's tendrils do not split into three, claw-like parts and the flowers are reddish-orange. A vine with opposite simple leaves is yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens).
Dolichandra unguis-cati is a member of the Bignoniaceae - Trumpet-creeper family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Dec 25, 2025
