Download Cats Claw Creeper - Clarence Valley Council

Clarence Valley Council
Control Sheet
Cats Claw Creeper
Botanical Name: Macfadyena unguis-cati
Weed Class:
Class 4 Noxious Weed
Legal requirements:
The growth of the plant must be managed in a manner that continuously inhibits
the ability of the plant to spread.
Control Options
Chemical Control: Use a product containing the following active constituent that is registered for use in
NSW to control Cats claw creeper in the particular situation in which you need to use chemical control.
Consult the product label for detailed information.

GLYPHOSATE 360 g/L - Various trade names - Cut stump/scrape stem/inject

PICLORAM 45g/L – Vigilant ® - Cut Stump

TRICLOPYR 300g/L + PICLORAM 100g/L - Various trade names – Hand gun spray
The glyphosate must be applied within 15 seconds of cutting while the sap is running to take the poison
down into the roots and tubers. If you miss the 15-second mark, then cut lower, and try again.
Because of the multitude of tubers the herbicide tends to knock them down one at a time with new regrowth
coming from the next tuber. Be prepared to continue control over the next five years
Biological Control: Biological control is considered the most appropriate option to manage this weed. Two
insects, a leaf-sucking tingid and a leaf-tying moth, have been explored, host tested and approved for
release.
Manual Control: Use a pruning saw, machete or brush hook to cut all leads/stems up the trees. All above
the cut will die, but be regrowth will occur from the underground tubers. Hand control is not practical except
on a very small infestation. The tubers that the plant produces can grow up to 40cm long and are incredibly
difficult to dig out because they tend to break off when you are trying to pull them out.
Description:
Distinguished by showy yellow flowers, winged seeds 2–4cm thick, 15–45 cm long capsule, terminal leaflets
modified into a 3-clawed tendril, and swollen underground tubers.
Stems: Woody climber with stems extending for 20 m or more.
Leaves: Leaves comprise two egg-shaped to elliptic leaflets.
Flowers: Yellow with orange lines in the tube. Flowers in spring
Dispersal: Seeds carried by water and to a lesser extent by strong wind
Habitats: This vine has the ability to completely smother native vegetation, even growing up over trees, and
many bushland areas already have serious infestations of this weed. Especially troublesome along coastal
and hinterland streams in Queensland and northern NSW.
For further information:
Noxious Weeds Office, Lilypool Road, SOUTH GRAFTON NSW 2460 Phone: 02 6641 7244
Helpful websites - www.clarence.nsw.gov.au - www.northcoastweeds.org.au - www.weeds.org.au
Photo 1- Yellow Flowers (Dept I & I QLD)
Photo 3 - Egg-shaped to elliptic leaflets (Dept I & I QLD)
Photo 2-Three clawed tendril (Dept I & I QLD)
Photo 4 - Seed capsule (Lismore Council)
Disclaimer: The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read
the label before using any of the products mentioned. Clarence Valley Council and its employees do not
guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular
purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence, which may arise from
you relying on any information in this publication.