Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A.H.Gentry

Cat's Claw Creeper

Woody climber with swollen tubers. Leaflets paired, to 7 cm long, 3 cm wide, entire or obscurely toothed, the terminal leaflet modified to become a branched, claw-like tendril. Flowers axillary, yellow with orange lines in the tube which is 4-8 cm long; spring. Fruit capsules to 40 cm or more long, about 1 cm wide, containing papery-winged seeds 2-4 cm long.

Brazil, Argentina

An invasive weed of disturbed forests and naturalised in coastal districts north of Sydney.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Bignoniaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

Distribution map