Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) Bignoniaceae Cats Claw Vine Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) Bignoniaceae

Biology Native to West Indies, Mexico and Argentina Name comes from three-pronged claw-like climbing appendages High climbing woody vine, over 50 feet in length Similar to native cross-vine (Bignonia capreolata) which has red-orange flowers

Background Economic Uses Brought to Florida as an ornamental Fragrant and showy flowers Attractive foliage

Distribution Found in several areas of north and central Florida – prevalent in Alachua Co. Found along roadways and disturbed areas, forest edges, undisturbed hammocks Generally as an escape from cultivation Isolated infestations in other areas of south Florida

Cats Claw Vine Distribution in Florida

Impacts Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC) spreads into undisturbed sites Although slow growth, very long-lived and persistent Creates a dense mat that covers forest floor Can climb into trees and smother canopy

Identification

Mature Plant Climbing vine, but not twining Produces a large tuber that allows for regrowth Stems covered with lenticels (small pits)

Leaves and Tendrils Oppositely arranged Dark green and compound with 2 leaflets Tendrils forked with distinct “claws”

Flowers and Fruit Flowers are yellow, trumpet shaped, 3 inches long Fruit capsules are linear and flat, 20 inches long Seeds are winged and wind dispersed

Management Preventative Cultural Mechanical Biological Chemical

Preventative Limit planting as an ornamental Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are produced Rouge out vines in abandoned areas

Cultural Alternative landscape plants to replace cats claw vine Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with this vine and proper identification Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce establishment

Biological There are no known biological control agents available for cats claw vine management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.

Mechanical Hand pull young seedlings, including all roots, repeated pulling for resprouts Cut vine down at ground level Mowing is effective, although likely impractical, but must be repeated

Chemical - Foliar Over-the-top applications for seedlings, resprouts and small vines Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicide Triclopyr – 2% solution Glyphosate – 2 to 3% solution Use surfactant at 0.25% Best results applied July to October

Chemical - Basal Use 100% triclopyr solution with basal oil Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on tree trunk Wet thoroughly for good control, spray until run-off is noticeable at ground line

Chemical – Cut Stump Cut stems horizonally at or near ground level Apply 100% solution of glyphosate or triclopyr Cover the entire cut stem Marker (blue) dye is helpful

Useful Links Floridata Homepage: http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html

Useful Links The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group. Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/index.htm Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States: http://www.invasive.org

Literature Cited Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp