Family: Bignoniaceae
Author: (L.) L.G.Lohmann
Bibliography: O.Hokche, P.E.Berry & O.Huber (eds.), Nuevo Cat. Fl. Vasc. Venezuela: 273 (2008)
Year: 2008
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Dolichandra
Vegetable: False
Observations: Mexico to Trop. America
Description
The Golden-shower, scientifically known as Dolichandra unguis-cati, is a vibrant and visually captivating plant belonging to the Bignoniaceae family. It flourishes extensively from Mexico to Tropical America, where it is commonly found adorning various landscapes with its splendid floral display.
This climbing perennial vine is noted for its striking yellow flowers that hang in clusters, creating a mesmerizing cascade reminiscent of golden showers, a characteristic from which its common name is derived. The plant’s blooms are not just visually appealing but also attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which contribute to the ecological dynamics of their native habitats.
Dolichandra unguis-cati exhibits several unique adaptations. Its name, ‘unguis-cati,’ translates to “cat’s claw,” a reference to the plant’s distinctive claw-shaped tendrils. These tendrils enable the vine to effectively climb and spread across trees, walls, and fences, making it a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers aiming to create lush, natural green walls or trellises.
Besides its ornamental value, the hardy nature of the Golden-shower makes it an interesting subject for ecological studies. It showcases remarkable resilience, thriving in diverse climatic conditions prevalent across its native range from Mexico through Tropical America.
This plant’s wide distribution and adaptability underscore its importance in regional flora, highlighting its role in both natural and cultivated settings. Its proliferation and success in various environments can be studied further, providing insights into plant distribution and adaptation mechanisms.
For a comprehensive scientific treatment and verification of the Golden-shower’s characteristics and distribution, the work edited by O. Hokche, P.E. Berry, and O. Huber in the “Nuevo Catálogo de la Flora Vascular de Venezuela” (2008) serves as a key reference source, documenting its presence and significance within the vast and diverse flora of Venezuela.
In conclusion, the Golden-shower (Dolichandra unguis-cati) is a remarkable plant species that combines ornamental beauty with ecological versatility. Its yellow floral cascades, coupled with the resilient climbing habit, make it a staple in various landscapes across its native range, from Mexico through Tropical America.
Common Names
Eng: catclaw vine, cat’s-claw, catclaw-creeper, catclaw-trumpet, claw vine, funnel-creeper, macfadyena, cat claw
Deu: krallentrompete
Por: cipó-de-gato, cipó-de-morcego, unha-de-gato
Afr: katteklouranker
Swe: kattklo
En: Golden-shower, Cat’s Claw, Cat-claw, Cat’s claw climber, Cat’s claw creeper, Catclaw vine, Catclawvine, Claw vine, Cat’s-claw, Catclaw-creeper, Catclaw-trumpet, Funnel-creeper, Macfadyena, Cat Claw
Af: Katteklouranker
Fr: Griffe à chatte, Liana patate, Patte d’oiseau, Griffe-chatte
De: Krallentrompete
Pt: Cipó-de-gato, Cipó-de-morcego, Unha-de-gato
Es: Uña de Gato, Liana uñada, Pegapalo, Abrazapalo
Sv: Kattklo
Synonyms
- Bignonia catharinensis (Schenck)
- Bignonia dasyonyx (S.F.Blake)
- Bignonia lanuginosa (Hemsl.)
- Doxantha unguis-cati ((L.) Miers)
- Batocydia exoleta (Mart. ex DC.)
- Dolichandra kohautiana (C.Presl)
- Doxantha praesignis (Miers)
- Bignonia unguis-cati var. serrata (Bureau & K.Schum.)
- Bignonia inflata (Griseb.)
- Spathodea kohautiana ((C.Presl) Walp.)
- Doxantha mexicana (Miers)
- Microbignonia auristellae (Kraenzl.)
- Doxantha radicans ((DC.) Miers)
- Doxantha unguis var. microphylla (Chodat)
- Doxantha dasyonyx ((S.F.Blake) S.F.Blake)
- Bignonia triantha (DC.)
- Batocydia unguis (Mart. ex DC.)
- Doxantha unguis-cati var. exoleta ((Vell.) Fabris)
- Doxantha lanuginosa ((Hemsl.) Miers)
- Doxantha unguis-cati var. dasyonyx ((S.F.Blake) Seibert)
- Bignonia unguis (Vell.)
- Bignonia unguis-cati var. guatemalensis (K.Schum. & Loes.)
- Bignonia gracilis (G.Lodd.)
- Macfadyena undulata (K.Schum.)
- Macfadyena unguis-cati ((L.) A.H.Gentry)
- Bignonia acutistipula (Schltdl.)
- Bignonia pseudounguis (Desf.)
- Bignonia unguis-cati var. exoleta ((Vell.) Sprague)
- Bignonia californica (Brandegee)
- Bignonia unguis-cati var. radicans (DC.)
- Bignonia unguis-cati (L.)
- Doxantha unguis-cati var. microphylla (Chodat)
- Batocydia unguis-cati ((L.) Mart. ex Britton & P.Wilson)
- Doxantha exoleta ((Vell.) Miers)
- Bignonia vespertilia (Barb.Rodr.)
- Doxantha tenuicula (Miers)
- Doxantha acutistipula ((Schltdl.) Miers)
- Doxantha serrulata (Miers)
- Doxantha adunca (Miers)
- Doxantha tweedieana ((Lindl.) Miers)
- Bignonia tweedieana (Lindl.)
- Doxantha torquata (Miers)
- Doxantha chelephora (Miers)
- Bignonia unguis var. gracilis ((G.Lodd.) DC.)
- Bignonia rodigasiana (L.Linden)
- Bignonia exoleta (Vell.)
Distribution
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Southwest Caribbean (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Venezuelan Antilles (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Dec 2, 2021 by Radhika Sugreevu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 29, 2018 by Justyna Barska-Rozenblat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 3, 2022 by anilkumar ayyappan (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2022 by marianne engard (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 17, 2021 by Flor Alex (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 5, 2021 by Tuan Ngo (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 17, 2022 by Lucas Cadoré (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 2, 2021 by Radhika Sugreevu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 17, 2021 by Flor Alex (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2022 by marianne engard (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 23, 2021 by tamer abbara (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2022 by ΑΝΝΑ ΑΓΓΕΛΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 16, 2021 by ileo’oiso (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2020 by Emily Hutchison (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 9, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 3, 2019 by Jesse Denham (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 17, 2020 by couloubrier domaine (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5830619)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77100466-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G.Lohmann)