Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G.Lohmann

Bernal, R., Gradstein, S.R. & Celis, M. (eds.). 2015. Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá. http://catalogoplantasdecolombia.unal.edu.co

Distribution

Nativa en Colombia; Alt. 0 - 1660 m.; Andes, Guayana y Serranía de La Macarena, Islas Caribeñas, Llanura del Caribe, Orinoquia, Pacífico, Valle del Magdalena.

Morphology General Habit

Trepadora, liana

Conservation

Preocupación Menor

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

The Useful Plants of Boyacá project

Morphology General Habit

Creeper or liana.

Conservation

Least concern.

Distribution

Native from Colombia.

Ecology

Alt. 0 - 1660 m.

Distribution

Biogeografic region: Andean, Guiana Shield, Caribbean, Orinoquia, Pacific. Elevation range: 0–1660 m a.s.l. Native to Colombia. Colombian departments: Antioquia, Atlántico, Bolívar, Boyacá, Caldas, Cesar, Chocó, Córdoba, Cundinamarca, Guaviare, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, San Andrés y Providencia, Sucre.

Habit

Liana, Climbing.

Conservation

National Red List of Colombia (2021): Potential LC.

Ecology

Habitat according IUCN Habitats Classification: forest and woodland, savanna, shrubland, wetlands (inland), artificial - terrestrial.

Bignoniaceae, Sally Bidgood, Bernard Verdcourt, Kaj Vollesen. Cobaeaceae, Bernard Verdcourt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2006

Type

Lectotype: Tab. 94 in Plumier, Pl. Amer. (1756), chosen by Nasir, Fl. Pakistan 131: 18 (1979)

Morphology General Habit

Climber to 10 m, often forming dense covering on trunks etc.

Morphology Roots

Roots sometimes with ellipsoid tubers.

Morphology Leaves Leaflets

Leaflets elliptic, 5–16 × 0.9–7 cm (smaller when young), narrowed to a ± rounded base, acutely acuminate at the apex, glabrous; petiole 1–4.7 cm long, petiolules 0.5–2.5 cm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences 1–3(–15)-flowered.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 0.5–1.8 cm long with undulate margin.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla bright yellow, sometimes with orange lines in throat, 4.5–10 cm long; tube 3.3–6.9 cm long, 1.2–2.5 cm wide at throat; lobes 1.3–3.1 cm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 26–95 × 1–1.9 cm, narrowed at apex.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds thin, strongly winged at both ends, narrowly rectangular, ± 4.8 × 0.8 cm.

Figures

Fig. 5.1–5.5, p. 23.

Ecology

Coffee shambas, Erythrophleum, Bombax, Albizia parkland; 350–400 m (naturalized specimens)

Note

At least some of the specimens cited appear to form naturalised populations but this needs confirmation. Rwaburindore states the tendrils are sticky. * It has been argued that this combination is not valid and should be attributed to Rehder but I think it is a correctable error and should be allowed to stand.

Distribution

Flora districts: U4 K4 K5 K7 T3 Range: Central and South America, West Indies; widely cultivated in tropics and greenhouses

Vernacular

Uña de gato

Use Environmental

Environmental uses.

Use Food

Used for food.

Use Materials

Used as material.

Use Medicines

Medical uses.