Cat's Claw Vine: The Yellow Dangerous Flower in Kerala

🌼 A Beautiful Vine With A Warning

Cat’s Claw yellow flowering vine growing on a green pandal in Kerala garden

Suchitra B, Rahul Raj. M

The invasive plant called Cat’s Claw, which is becoming a craze for flower lovers in Kerala, is very harmful to the environment.

The Cat’s Claw plant, with its beautiful yellow flowers, is filling the eyes and minds of Malayalis like spring. Cat’s Claw (Dolichandra unguis-cati) is a vine that has recently migrated to Kerala from the American tropical regions.

This plant got the name Cat’s Claw because it spreads and climbs using tendrils that resemble a cat’s claw.

🌿 Why Flower Lovers Are Choosing Cat’s Claw

Cat’s Claw, which grows well in our climate, will flower twice if it grows. The sight of it growing with yellow flowers, both full and bell-shaped, is very beautiful.

On a green pandal, once the green leaves have bloomed, the flowers will remain for up to 10 days without fading or wilting.

🪴 These plants with yellow flowers are not just for gardens; they are also in demand. The Onam market for this plant is in full swing in nurseries in Kerala.

⚠️ Why This Ornamental Vine Is A Serious Threat

Cat’s Claw, which is one of the invasive plants that migrate from their ecosystem to other countries, grows and spreads there, creating environmental problems and becoming a threat to biodiversity, has been banned in many countries.

Most tropical countries, including Africa, are taking measures to curb the impact of the spread of invasive plants on native flora and the global economy.

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The National Green Tribunal Southern Zone Bench’s 2019 list of invasive plants has included Cat’s Claw as a Category 1 plant.

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In Kerala’s climate, this attractive vine spreads rapidly.

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Since they spread and grow through their tubers, even if they are cut down or dug up, these tubers will sprout from the soil and reproduce again.

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Very small seeds are carried by the wind to other places and spread over that entire area.

🍃 How Cat’s Claw Affects Native Plants

Invasive Cat’s Claw vine wrapping around native tree trunks and blocking sunlight

In Kerala’s climate, this attractive vine spreads rapidly, wrapping around the trunks of other plants and growing like a fungus, preventing them from getting sunlight, thereby stunting the growth of native plants.

Very small seeds are carried by the wind to other places and spread over that entire area, adversely affecting the growth of other plants.

Once it grows uncontrollably, it is very difficult to eradicate this plant from that area.

🧪 Certain chemicals (Allelochemicals) released from these plants also hinder the flowering and growth of other plants and prevent the seeds of other plants from germinating.

✅ What Gardeners Should Remember

Silpur Bedbi (Kammal Poovu), which migrated to Kerala a while ago, has now spread uncontrollably on a large scale.

🌍 When selecting ornamental plants, one must ensure they are environmentally friendly.

Address: *Research scholar, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. Phone: 8848696434

**MAT Foundation Officer, Wayanad. Phone: 9947231642

FAQ

Is Cat’s Claw an invasive plant in Kerala?

Yes. Cat’s Claw, or Dolichandra unguis-cati, is described as a vine that recently migrated to Kerala from the American tropical regions. It grows well in Kerala’s climate and can spread rapidly, creating environmental problems and becoming a threat to biodiversity.

Why is Cat’s Claw popular among flower lovers?

Cat’s Claw attracts gardeners because of its beautiful yellow flowers, which can be full and bell-shaped. On a green pandal, the flowers may remain for up to 10 days without fading or wilting, making the plant especially appealing during the Onam nursery market.

How does Cat’s Claw harm native plants?

In Kerala’s climate, Cat’s Claw can wrap around the trunks of other plants and grow densely, preventing them from getting sunlight. This stunts the growth of native plants. Allelochemicals released from the plant may also hinder flowering, growth and seed germination of other plants.

Why is Cat’s Claw difficult to remove once established?

Cat’s Claw spreads and grows through tubers. Even if the vine is cut down or dug up, remaining tubers can sprout again from the soil and reproduce. Its very small seeds are also carried by wind, helping it spread across a wider area.

Has Cat’s Claw been listed as an invasive plant?

The National Green Tribunal Southern Zone Bench’s 2019 list of invasive plants has included Cat’s Claw as a Category 1 plant. The article also notes that this invasive plant has been banned in many countries because of environmental and biodiversity concerns.

What should gardeners check before buying ornamental plants?

Gardeners should ensure that ornamental plants are environmentally friendly before planting them. The example of Silpur Bedbi, or Kammal Poovu, shows how a migrated ornamental plant can spread uncontrollably on a large scale after becoming established in Kerala.