Cat’s claw creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati) is a biosecurity threat due to its highly invasive and adaptable characteristics impacting waterways, forests and urban environments.
As a prohibited declared weed, cat’s claw creeper is not permitted to be propagated or sold in WA and any plants found are to be eradicated.
The department has been preventing cat’s claw creeper establishing in Western Australia (WA) since 2003, but small outbreaks continue to be detected. Landholders, local government and other state government agencies play a key role in assisting with the early detection and control of cat’s claw creeper.
Identification and control
Early detection and eradication of small outbreaks is crucial in preventing the spread of cat's claw creeper in Western Australia.
All landholders have a legal obligation to control declared pests on their land under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.
How to identify cat's claw creeper
How to control cat's claw creeper
The department has developed a plan of activities to be undertaken to control and manage cat’s claw creeper in WA over the next 5 years. As there are so few reports of cat’s claw creeper found in WA, eradication is still considered feasible. New detections in WA will be managed in accordance with this plan.