Catclaw Vine
ExplorePlants
Catclaw Vine
dolichandra unguis-cati
The Catclaw Vine is a fun plant that loves to climb! It has unique, claw-like tendrils that help it hang on to other plants and trees.
Habitat: It typically grows in tropical and subtropical regions, often found in forests and along riverbanks.
Appearance
The Catclaw Vine has shiny green leaves with three leaflets and bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. Its distinguishing feature is small, claw-like tendrils that help it climb surfaces, giving it a unique grappling appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyBignoniaceaeGenusDolichandra
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It has powerful underground tubers that make it super hard to dig up!
Its long, flat seed pods can grow over 30 cm long, like giant beans!
Native to tropical Americas, it now grows in many sunny, warm climates.
This sneaky vine can completely blanket and smother other plants!
Special abilities
Ability
Climbing Claws
Catclaw Vine has tiny, three-pronged tendrils that act like grappling hooks, helping it climb walls and trees with incredible grip.
Ability
Root Tuber Power
Catclaw Vine can grow large underground tubers that store water and nutrients, allowing it to survive droughts and regrow easily.
Ability
Seed Spreader
Catclaw Vine produces numerous winged seeds that are easily carried by wind, helping it quickly spread to new areas.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 300-900 cm
- Spread
- 500-1500 cm
- Flower Size
- 4-8 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar while spreading pollen
eats
Pyralid Moth
Caristanius ortholopha
Caterpillars feed on its leaves and stems
eats
Leaf-feeding Beetle
Hedypathes betulinus
larvae and adults feed on foliage
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Cat's ClawClimbing VineDolichandraYellow Flowering Vine
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Catclaw Vine?
300-900 cm
How wide does Catclaw Vine spread?
500-1500 cm
How big are the flowers on Catclaw Vine?
4-8 cm
When does Catclaw Vine bloom?
Spring to Summer
Is Catclaw Vine edible?
No
Is Catclaw Vine toxic?
Mild
What is Catclaw Vine's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Catclaw Vine pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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