Environment & Waste 
Pests & weeds Weed of the month Weed of the Month - Cats claw creeper
Pests & weeds Weed of the month Weed of the Month - Cats claw creeper
Cats claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati) is native to tropical America. It was used as an ornamental climber in many older-style Queensland gardens. This aggressive climber has the ability to completely smother native vegetation, even growing up and over trees.
The vine has a vigorous root and tuber system, and this adds to the difficulties of controlling the weed. Cats claw creeper is a vine with large, bright yellow bell shaped flowers in spring. Its leaves each have two leaflets, with a three clawed tendril (the cat’s claw) growing between them. The vine bears very long, narrow pods containing many seeds.
When small out breaks occur cut all the leaders/stems about 20-30cm from the ground. All above the cut will die, but regrowth will occur from the underground tubers. Digging the tubers out is not always practical in most cases. Don’t allow regrowth to reach the host tree’s foliage. If they get away you will have to recut them. The regrowth is best treated with a foliar Herbicide spray. All herbicides must be applied strictly in accordance with the directions on the label.
For large or inaccessible out breaks a biological control is available. The leaf-sucking bug Carvalhotingis visenda feeds on the cell matter of leaves, causing white speckling and eventually abscission of the leaves. This disturbs the plants ability to make food and thus grow. The leaf sucking bug does not kill the plant it just slows down its growth.
For more information or to obtain some leaf-sucking bugs please contact Councils Bushcare Facilitator.
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