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Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)

DONATEREPORT A PEST

Cat’s Claw

by

Cat’s Claw

Caesalpinia decapetala

Report if seen anywhere on Maui 

Known from and potential habitat

Native to tropical Asia, Cat’s Claw is known in only one gulch in East Haiku. Report at 643pest.org if seen anywhere on Maui.

Species Info General

Cat’s Claw was introduced to Hawaii in the early 1900s for use as a natural fence and accidentally transported to Maui on construction material from another island. This plant forms dense, thorny thickets that are hazardous to animals and people. Cat’s Claw can colonize a variety of habitats in Hawaii.

PEST WATCH: If this plant is seen anywhere on Maui or Molokai, report at 643PEST.org.


Attribution: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Attribution: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Attribution: (L) Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Identification/Description

  • Deciduous, sprawling, climbing shrub (up to 10 m) with numerous spines.
  • Bark is dull red, stems minutely golden-hairy.
  • Leaves pinnate, 20-30 cm long with 3-10 pairs of leaflets.
  • Yellow flowers, orbicular or obovate 1-1.2 cm.
  • Seeds 6-9, brown, elliptic about 11 x 6 mm.

Impacts

  • Forms impenetrable thickets, climbs high up trees.
  • Closes off pastures to animals, impedes passage in forests.
  • A hazard to animals, which can become trapped in thickets (a dead cow was found trapped in a thicket on Kauai).
  • Prevents hiking, hunting, and other activities where infestations occur.

On Maui

Known only on one gulch in East Haiku. MISC removed small infestation in Ulupalakua. Report if seen anywhere on Maui.

Control info/Info on what MISC does about it

  • Coming Soon!

Resources/References