Dolichandra unguis-cati

Last updated

Dolichandra unguis-cati
Starr 060526-8115 Macfadyena unguis-cati.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Bignoniaceae
Genus: Dolichandra
Species:
D. unguis-cati
Binomial name
Dolichandra unguis-cati
(L.) Miers 1863
Synonyms [1]
List
    • Batocydia exoletaMart. ex DC. nom. inval.
    • Batocydia unguisMart. ex DC. nom. inval.
    • Batocydia unguis-cati(L.) Mart. ex Britton
    • Bignonia acutistipulaSchltdl.
    • Bignonia californicaBrandegee
    • Bignonia catharinensisSchenck
    • Bignonia dasyonyxS.F.Blake
    • Bignonia exoletaVell.
    • Bignonia gracilisLodd.
    • Bignonia inflataGriseb.
    • Bignonia lanuginosaHemsl.
    • Bignonia pseudounguisDesf.
    • Bignonia trianthaDC.
    • Bignonia tweedianaLindl.
    • Bignonia tweedianaGriseb. ex Fabris
    • Bignonia unguis L.
    • Bignonia unguisVell. nom. illeg.
    • Bignonia unguisL. ex DC.
    • Bignonia unguis-cati L.
    • Bignonia vespertiliaBarb.Rodr.
    • Dolichandra kohautianaC.Presl
    • Doxantha acutistipula(Schltdl.) Miers
    • Doxantha aduncaMiers
    • Doxantha chelephoraMiers nom. inval.
    • Doxantha dasyonyx(S.F.Blake) S.F.Blake
    • Doxantha exoleta(Vell.) Miers
    • Doxantha lanuginosa(Hemsl.) Miers nom. inval.
    • Doxantha mexicanaMiers nom. inval.
    • Doxantha praesignisMiers nom. inval.
    • Doxantha radicans(DC.) Miers
    • Doxantha serrulataMiers nom. inval.
    • Doxantha tenuiculaMiers nom. inval.
    • Doxantha torquataMiers nom. inval.
    • Doxantha tweediana(Lindl.) Miers
    • Doxantha unguis(L.) Miers
    • Doxantha unguis-cati ( L.) Miers
    • Doxantha unguis-cati(L.) Miers ex Rehder
    • Macfadyena unguis-cati(L.) A.H.Gentry
    • Microbignonia auristellaeKraenzl.
    • Spathodea kohautiana(C.Presl) Walp.

Dolichandra unguis-cati, commonly known as cat's claw creeper, funnel creeper, [2] or cat's claw trumpet, [2] is a rapidly growing climbing vine belonging to the family Bignoniaceae. [3] It affects all plant layers of the forest ecosystem spreading rapidly both vertically and horizontally.

Contents

Description

The showy yellow flowers Macfadyena unguis-cati Flower.jpg
The showy yellow flowers
The fruits of Dolichandra unguis-cati are 40-50 cm (16-20 in) long Mpigkonia e onukhote - Bignonia Unguis Cati.jpg
The fruits of Dolichandra unguis-cati are 40–50 cm (16–20 in) long

Dolichandra unguis-cati is a liana with semipersistent foliage and woody stems that can reach a height of 30 metres (98 ft). Thin and small aerial roots are used for climbing. Leaves are dark green, opposite and bifoliate. Leaflets have a length of 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in). Long primary roots extend beneath the soil surface, producing large tubers 40–50 cm (16–20 in) long. [4]

Flowers are yellow, have a diameter of 4 to 5 cm (1.6 to 2.0 in) and can grow alone or in groups of two or three. Flowers occur from late spring through to early summer. [5] Their calyx is narrow trumpet-shaped, 1–2 centimeters long. Their corolla is also tubular and measures 4 to 10 centimeters long. The 5 lobes of the corolla have different sizes. The opening diameter is 1.2 to 2.4 centimeters. Fruits are brown flattened capsules from 25 to 95 cm (9.8 to 37.4 in) long. Each capsule contains 100 to 200 seeds. [4]

Distribution and habitat

This plant is native to the tropical dry forest of Central America, South America (Mexico to Brazil and northern Argentina) and the Caribbean. In these natural areas it occurs from sea level to over 600 metres (2,000 ft) above sea level and where the rainfall is 750 to 2,400 mm (30 to 94 in) per year. It can become invasive due to its fast growth and it is present worldwide, often having been introduced as an ornamental plant to these regions. It can affect all layers of plants of forest ecosystems by rapidly spreading both vertically and horizontally. [4]

It prefers fertile, well-drained soils but can survive in most soils except salty ones. It tolerates the lack of light well, but grows faster in the sun. It is naturalised in Australia, southeastern US, southern Africa, tropical Asia. It grows in orchards and gardens, roadsides and grasslands, in open urban areas, especially in temperate to subtropical regions with medium to high rainfall. It spreads both horizontally, in contact with herbaceous plants, and vertically, up to the canopy. [4]

Invasiveness

The eradication of this plant is difficult because of its rapid spread linked to the vast root system it develops and the profusion of its seeds. It survives grazing and wildfire, and disturbances tend to stimulate offspring production. The plant is said to be "one of the most destructive exotic vines", where it is especially aggressive in riparian zones and rainforest communities where it strangles trees. [4]

Medicinal use

Its use has been documented as an antidote for snake bites in folk medicine. It is also used to treat dermatitis, in addition to being antipyretic. Furthermore, being anti-inflammatory, it has been used for the treatment of intestinal ailments, venereal disease, rheumatism, dysentery, malaria and oliguria. Its leaves revealed antitumoral and antitrypanosomal activities. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vine</span> Plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent stems or runners

A vine is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent stems, lianas, or runners. The word vine can also refer to such stems or runners themselves, for instance, when used in wicker work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tendril</span> Specialisation of plant parts used to climb or bind

In botany, a tendril is a specialized stem, leaf or petiole with a threadlike shape used by climbing plants for support and attachment, as well as cellular invasion by parasitic plants such as Cuscuta. There are many plants that have tendrils; including sweet peas, passionflower, grapes and the Chilean glory-flower. Tendrils respond to touch and to chemical factors by curling, twining, or adhering to suitable structures or hosts. Tendrils vary greatly in size from a few centimeters up to 27 inches for Nepenthes harryana The chestnut vine can have tendrils up to 20.5 inches in length. Normally there is only one simple or branched tendril at each node, but the aardvark cucumber can have as many as eight.

<i>Campsis grandiflora</i> Species of vine

Campsis grandiflora, commonly known as the Chinese trumpet vine, is a fast-growing, deciduous creeper with large, orange, trumpet-shaped flowers in summer. It can grow to a height of 10 meters. A native of East Asia, it is less hardy than its relative Campsis radicans.

<i>Parthenocissus quinquefolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Parthenocissus quinquefolia, known as Virginia creeper, Victoria creeper, five-leaved ivy, or five-finger, is a species of flowering vine in the grape family, Vitaceae. It is native to eastern and central North America, from southeastern Canada and the eastern United States west to Manitoba and Utah, and south to eastern Mexico and Guatemala.

<i>Parthenocissus tricuspidata</i> Species of grapevine

Parthenocissus tricuspidata is a flowering plant in the grape family (Vitaceae) native to eastern Asia in Korea, Japan, and northern and eastern China. Although unrelated to true ivy, it is commonly known as Boston ivy, grape ivy, and Japanese ivy, and also as Japanese creeper, and by the name woodbine.

<i>Vitis amurensis</i> Species of grapevine

Vitis amurensis, the Amur grape, is a species of grape native to the Asian continent. Its name comes from the Amur Valley in Russia and China.

Trumpetflower or trumpet flower may refer to several plants:

Cat's claw or cat's claws is a common name for several plants:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Pine River</span> River in Queensland, Australia

The North Pine River is a minor river in South East Queensland, Australia.

<i>Sicyos angulatus</i> Species of flowering plant

Sicyos angulatus, the oneseed bur cucumber or star-cucumber is an annual vine in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, native to eastern North America. The plant forms mats or climbs using tendrils. The leaves are palmately veined and lobed, the flowers are green to yellowish green, and the fruits form clusters of very small pepos.

The Kolan River is a river in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia.

<i>Cissus hypoglauca</i> Species of vine endemic to Australia

Cissus hypoglauca is a common Australian vine. It is one of the better known climbing plants of the genus Cissus in the grape family. A very common climber in moist areas of eastern Australia, it often colonises large areas after forest damage due to storms, fire or logging. Common names include jungle grape, water vine, giant water vine, five-leaf water vine, jungle vine, native grapes and billangai.

<i>Telosma cordata</i> Species of flowering plant

Telosma cordata is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to China and Indo-China. It is cultivated elsewhere and may occur wild as an introduced species. Common names include Chinese violet, cowslip creeper, Pakalana vine, Tonkin jasmine and Tonkinese creeper. The plant bears clusters of golden yellow blooms along the vining stems during summer months. Individual blooms emerge successively over a period of weeks emitting a rich, heavy fragrance during the day and night.

<i>Rhoicissus tomentosa</i> Species of grapevine

Rhoicissus tomentosa is a vigorous, evergreen vine that is indigenous to the afro-montane forests of southern Africa. It is increasingly popular as an ornamental creeper in gardens, and it has a wide range of uses in traditional medicine.

<i>Pyrostegia venusta</i> Species of vine

Pyrostegia venusta, also commonly known as flamevine or orange trumpet vine, is a plant species of the genus Pyrostegia of the family Bignoniaceae originally native to southern Brazil, Bolivia, northeastern Argentina and Paraguay; today, it is also a widely cultivated garden species.

<i>Clematis orientalis</i> Species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae

Clematis orientalis is a deciduous vine or scrambling shrub in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, that originates from Asia and Central Europe. It was brought to the United States as an ornamental plant but escaped cultivation leading to its classification as a noxious weed in some states. Common names for C. orientalis include Chinese clematis, Oriental virginsbower, orange peel, and orange peel clematis.

<i>Eccremocarpus scaber</i> Species of flowering plant

Eccremocarpus scaber, the Chilean glory-flower or Chilean glory creeper, is a species of perennial plant in the Bignoniaceae family. It is found in Chile.

<i>Ampelopsis glandulosa</i> Species of vine

Ampelopsis glandulosa, with common names creeper, porcelain berry, Amur peppervine, and wild grape, is an ornamental plant, native to temperate areas of Asia including China, Japan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It is generally similar to, and potentially confused with, grape species and other Ampelopsis species.

<i>Podranea ricasoliana</i> Species of plant in the genus Podranea

Podranea ricasoliana, called the pink trumpet vine, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Podranea, native to South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

References

Notes
  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
  2. 1 2 "USDA GRIN Taxonomy". Archived from the original on 2013-04-09.
  3. "Cat's claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati)". Brisbane Rainforest Newsletter; Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network. April 1996. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Plantinvasivekruger - Bignoniaceae - Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G.Lohmann Plant Net. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  5. Cat's claw creeper Brisbane City Council Weed Identification Tool
  6. Aboutabl, E. A.; Hashem, F. A.; Sleem, A. A.; Maamoon, A. A. (2007). "Flavonoids, Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Cytotoxicity of Macfadyena Unguis-Cati L". African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 5 (1): 18–26. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v5i1.31251. PMC   2816596 . PMID   20162050.
Bibliography