img

Biancaea decapetala

(Roth) O.Deg. (1936)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Biancaea

cat's claw, mysore thorn, pua kelekino, puakelekino, wait a bit

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Climbers or shrubs.

Stems: With sprawling branches, forming large impenetrable thickets, with recurved prickles on young branches and leaf rachises.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves compound. Alternate. Leaves with 3–15 pairs of pinnae; leaflets 5–12 pairs per pinna, oblong–elliptic, 1–2.2 cm long, 0.4–1.1 cm wide. Apex rounded. Margins entire. Petiolate. Stipules deciduous, obliquely ovate, 8–20 mm long.

Flowers: Flowers in axillary and/or terminal racemes, when axillary often serial. Flowers caesalpinaceous, bisexual (perfect), 25–30 mm in diameter. bracts caducous, bracteoles absent. Calyx tube short, 5-lobed, hood-like. Corolla of 5 petals; petals yellow, upper one veined or blotched with red, 12–15 mm long. Stamens 10, distinct, alternately longer and shorter. Ovary superior.

Fruit: Pods dehiscent; flattened; slightly swollen; 6.5–11 cm long; 2–3 cm wide; smooth. Seeds 4–9; black; ellipsoid; laterally flattened; 8–12 mm long; 6–8 mm wide; transversely arranged.

Ploidy: 2n = 22; 24

Habitat: Along roadsides; near abandoned house sites; and other disturbed areas.

Elevation Range: 0–250 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean

Pollinators

Notes

  • 0-250 m
  • Description digitized by Ellena Ruiz
  • Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii
  • First collected on O'ahu in 1910

Bibliography

Name Published In: Fl. Hawaiiensis: K7 (1936)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:647 (Ni, K, O, EM, H [as Caesalpinia decapetala]); Starr et al. 2006:35 (L); Gagnon et al. 2016:71 (Syn. C. decapetala = B. decapetala); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:180 (Mo, remove Ni [no evidence of nat.])

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. scrambling vine with large racemes of yellow and orange flowers, and retrorse spines. common along route 56 at hanalei valley overlook. island of kauai. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN shirley c. tucker 26694 LSU 1/10/1985
2 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kalaheo. Puu Road, just past entrance to golf course. Secondary vegetation along portion of old road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 7235 Kauai PTBG 3/15/2005
3 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Tantalus, 2640 Round Top Dr, hairpin turn, 0.6km N of Aina Lani Pl Dry-mesic forest, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN G. J. Ray 62 NY 1/6/1998
4 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. tantalus, 2640 round top dr, hairpin turn, 0.6km n of aina lani pl PRESERVED_SPECIMEN g. j. ray 62 NY 1/6/1998
5 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. escape from cultivation; big scrambling vine with 1" yellow flowers in loose racemes 3-5" long; retrorse spines. hanalei valley overlook on route 56, n side of kauai. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN shirley c. tucker 26694 MU 1/10/1985
6 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kahili Mountain Park near watertank. Secondary vegetation. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 7237 Kauai PTBG 3/31/2005
7 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Hwy 56 across from Pooku Stables. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 807 Kauai PTBG 3/16/1984
8 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kahili Mountain Park near watertank. Secondary vegetation. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 7237 Kauai PTBG 3/31/2005
9 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Napili. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H20123 Maui PTBG 2/17/2001
10 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kalihiwai Stream Valley just SW of Highway 56; Alt. 20-40 m. Secondary vegetation with pasture in valley and slopes. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN David H. Lorence 5982 Kauai PTBG 4/23/1988
11 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kalaheo, in backyard on Maikai street Cultivated fruit trees and numerous alien tree species near Elua reservoir. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kelsey Brock 703 Kauai PTBG 7/9/2015
12 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kakipi Gulch, 6 km E of Haiku. Tangled in guava bushes on steep bushy cliff. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN F. R. Fosberg 55449 Maui PTBG 4/15/1974
13 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Hwy 50, 1/2 mile west of Numilo Road junction. Wahiawa Valley. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 957 Kauai PTBG 12/3/1984
14 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. about 5 mi e of kilauea, n side of island PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. r. fosberg 56699 Kauai US 3/12/1977
15 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Halekaku, vinicity of Papalua Gulch along Hana Hwy. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H110119 Maui PTBG 11/12/2001
16 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Leilihua; schofield barracks Along bottom of ravine PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hitchcock, A. S. 13925 Oahu US 7/5/2016
17 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kauaihau dist.; kalihiwai stream valley just sw of hwy 56 Secondary vegetation with pasture PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D. H. 5982 Kauai US 4/23/1988
18 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. kauaihau dist.; kalihiwai stream valley just sw of hwy 56 Secondary vegetation with pasture PRESERVED_SPECIMEN d. h. lorence 5982 Kauai US 4/23/1988
19 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. growing over trees as vine in ahuimanu stream bed behind 47-100 nukupuu place, kaneohe PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lukas, c. Oahu BISH 11/13/1985
20 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. ele`ele PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kauai US 1/23/2005
21 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. leilihua; schofield barracks Along bottom of ravine PRESERVED_SPECIMEN a. s. hitchcock 13925 Oahu US 7/5/1916
22 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. napoopoo road below captain cook, s. kona PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. r. fosberg 41621 Kauai US 3/31/1961
23 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. E Maui, Kakipi Gulch, 6 km E of Haiku PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F. R.; Sylva, R. B. 55449 Maui US 4/15/1974
24 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kauai County, along route 56 at mile 18 north of Lihue PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Harriman, N. A. 16430 Kauai US 12/28/1979
25 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. ele`ele PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kauai US 1/27/2005
26 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. kauai county, along route 56 at mile 18 north of lihue PRESERVED_SPECIMEN n. a. harriman 16430 Kauai US 12/28/1979
27 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. waikowa gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. n. forbes 1443 Oahu US 10/2/1910
28 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. E Maui, Makawao District, Halekaku, vicinity of Papalua Gulch along Hana Hwy PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H. L. H110119 Maui US 11/12/2001
29 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Waikowa gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C. N. 1443 Oahu US 1910-00-00
30 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. e maui, kakipi gulch, 6 km e of haiku PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. r. fosberg & r. sylva 55449 Maui US 4/15/1974
31 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kaneohe, koolau mts. Edge of forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hosaka, E. Y. 1301 Oahu US 1/19/1936
32 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. E Maui, Makawao District, Halekaku, vicinity of Papalua Gulch along Hana Hwy PRESERVED_SPECIMEN H. L. Oppenheimer H110119 Maui US 11/12/2001
33 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. e maui, makawao district, halekaku, vicinity of papalua gulch along hana hwy PRESERVED_SPECIMEN h. l. oppenheimer h110119 Maui US 11/12/2001
34 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. About 5 mi E of Kilauea, N side of island PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F. R. 56699 Kauai US 3/12/1977
35 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Napoopoo road below captain cook, s. kona PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F. R. 41621 Hawaii US 1961-00-00
36 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. kaneohe, koolau mts. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN e. y. hosaka 1301 Maui US 1/19/1936
37 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Honolulu, 2640 Round Top Dr., hairpin turn; 0.6 km N of Aina Lani Pl Leucaena leucocephala, Kalanchoe, Harpullia; dry-mesic forest; disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Ray, G. 62 Oahu BISH 1/6/1998
38 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Begining of Waiahole Ditch Trail, side of road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stone, B.C. 2709 Oahu BISH 11/27/1958
39 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Waiahole Along wet roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 7230 Oahu BISH 3/17/1928
40 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. waiahole thicket by stream PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. collector number: 10134 Oahu BISH 12/29/1929
41 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. above waimano home, inside gate along jeep trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN corn, c. collector number: s.n. Molokai BISH 2/10/1978
42 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kapaa, Kealia, off of Kealia Road after the veer toward Anahola past Spalding Monument and opposite Hauaala Road. E side of the road boardering a fallow cattle pasture. Collected as part of KISC 2007 Early Detection Roadside Survey. KISC #20070531A010. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 1344 Kauai PTBG 5/31/2007
43 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Wainiha PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 10682 Kauai BISH 12/30/1930
44 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kailua, bridge not far from bse of Nuuanu Pali, weed near stream PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F.R. 10760 Oahu BISH 1/12/1935
45 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. ahualoa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN clarke, g. collector number: 687 Oahu BISH 4/4/1982
46 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. kaneohe, koolau mts edge of forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hosaka, e.y. collector number: 1301 Oahu BISH 1/19/1936
47 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Napoopoo Road below Captain Cook, S.Kona PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F.R. 41621 Hawaii BISH 3/21/1961
48 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Growing over trees as vine in Ahuimanu Stream bed behind 47-100 Nukupuu Place, Kaneohe PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lukas, C. not on sheet Oahu BISH 11/13/1985
49 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kalamaula dry awai near old Hawaiian house sites PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Munro, G.C. 126 Molokai BISH 6/23/1927
50 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kauaihau District: Kalihiwai Stream Valley just SW of Highway 56; Secondary vegetation with pasture in valley and slopes with Psidium, Syzygium malaccense, and Aleurites. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. 5982 Kauai BISH 4/23/1988
51 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. above waimano home, inside gate along jeep trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN corn, c. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH
52 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. hwy. 56 across from pooku stables. scrambling shrub along pasture fence line PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. collector number: 807 Kauai BISH 3/16/1984
53 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Ahualoa In pasture. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Clarke, G. 687 Hawaii BISH 4/4/1982
54 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. hanalei, along roadsides PRESERVED_SPECIMEN krauss, n.l.h. collector number: 891 Kauai BISH 3/10/1963
55 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kualoa by road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. s.n. Oahu BISH 11/24/1929
56 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Above Waimano Home, inside gate along jeep trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Corn, C. Collector Number: s.n. Oahu BISH
57 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kapano Gulch Filling gulch, several acres. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Starr, F. 050623-1 Lanai BISH 6/23/2005
58 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Oahu Island, Honolulu, Foster Garden Dry-mesic forest, disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN G. J. Ray 62 Oahu HAPI 1/6/1998
59 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Hanalei, along roadsides PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Krauss, N.L.H. 891 Kauai BISH 3/10/1963
60 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Waikoloa Gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 1443 Oahu BISH 2/10/1910
61 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. waiahole along kamehameha highway; PRESERVED_SPECIMEN krauss, n.h. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 12/2/1933
62 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Hwy. 56 across from Pooku Stables. Scrambling shrub along pasture fence line PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 807 Kauai BISH 3/16/1984
63 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Hilo over cactus PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 7223 Hawaii BISH 5/7/1930
64 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. east maui, kakipi gulch, 6 km e of haiku tangled in guava bushes on steep bushy cliff. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN fosberg, f.r. sylva, r.b. collector number: 55449 Maui BISH 4/15/1974
65 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kaneohe, Koolau Mts edge of forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hosaka, E.Y. 1301 Oahu BISH 1/19/1936
66 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. about 5 miles east of kilauea, north side of island PRESERVED_SPECIMEN fosberg, f.r. collector number: 56699 Oahu BISH 3/12/1977
67 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. kalamaula PRESERVED_SPECIMEN munro, g.c. collector number: 126 Oahu BISH 6/23/1927
68 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. napoopoo road below captain cook, s.kona PRESERVED_SPECIMEN fosberg, f.r. collector number: 41621 Hawaii BISH 3/21/1961
69 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. palolo valley Metrosideros-Dicranopteris linearis wet forest. Antidesma platyphylla, Perrottetia sandwicensis, Kadua affinis, Scaevola gaudichaudiana, Cyanea kahiliensis, Polyscias oahuensis, Bobea brevipes, Psidium cattleianum, Clidemia hirta. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN egler, f.e. collector number: 37-249 Kauai BISH 4/26/1937
70 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. hilo W side of 1.5 ha islet, high rugosity with sandy grooves, limestone intemixed with sand & rubble, inckudes a vertical rock wall/ledge. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. collector number: 7223 Molokai BISH 5/7/1930
71 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. kapano gulch Filling gulch, several acres. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN starr, f. collector number: 050623-1 Lanai BISH 6/23/2005
72 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. waiahole side of road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. collector number: 7230 Oahu BISH 3/17/1928
73 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Waipolua Gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 1443 Oahu BISH 2/10/1910
74 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. kailua, bridge not far from bse of nuuanu pali, weed near stream PRESERVED_SPECIMEN fosberg, f.r. oliveira, v.m. collector number: 10760 Oahu BISH 1/12/1935
75 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. About 5 miles east of Kilauea, north side of island PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F.R. 56699 Oahu BISH 3/12/1977
76 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Waiahole thicket by stream PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 10134 Oahu BISH 12/29/1929
77 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Hilo over cactus PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. Collector Number: 7223 Hawaii BISH 5/7/1930
78 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. East Maui, Kakipi Gulch, 6 km E of Haiku tangled in guava bushes on steep bushy cliff. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F.R. 55449 Maui BISH 4/15/1974
79 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Kahaluu, Koolaupoko along road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Nagata, K.M. 2594 Oahu BISH 1/30/1983
80 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Above Waimano Home, inside gate along jeep trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Corn, C. s.n. Oahu BISH 2/10/1978
81 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Waiahole along Kamehameha highway; PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Krauss, N.H. s.n. Oahu BISH 12/2/1933
82 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Above Waimano Home, inside gate along jeep trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Corn, C. s.n. Oahu BISH
83 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. waiahole trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN kerr, m. collector number: 3-a Oahu BISH 12/30/1945
84 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Palolo Valley wayside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Egler, F.E. 37-249 Oahu BISH 4/26/1937
85 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. kahaluu, koolaupoko along road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN nagata, k.m. collector number: 2594 Oahu BISH 1/30/1983
86 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. waimano gulch Growing in shade of moist forest near top of steep gully. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN kerr, m. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 7/16/1945
87 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. waiahole town PRESERVED_SPECIMEN donaghho, w.r. Oahu BISH 3/23/1947
88 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. waikoloa gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 1443 Oahu BISH 2/10/1910
89 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. wainiha PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. hosaka, e.y.; hume, e.; inafuku, r.; lindsay, j.c.; masuhara, r.; mitchell, d.d.; wong, w. collector number: 10682 Oahu BISH 12/30/1930
90 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. honolulu, 2640 round top dr., hairpin turn; 0.6 km n of aina lani pl Leucaena leucocephala, Kalanchoe, Harpullia; dry-mesic forest; disturbed roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN ray, g. gibney, e. collector number: 62 Oahu BISH 1/6/1998
91 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Ahualoa In pasture. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Clarke, G. Collector Number: 687 Hawaii BISH 4/4/1982
92 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. waipolua gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 1443 Oahu BISH 2/10/1910
93 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Waimano Gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kerr, M. s.n. Oahu BISH 7/16/1945
94 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Above Waimano Home, inside gate along jeep trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Corn, C. Collector Number: s.n. Oahu BISH 2/10/1978
95 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. kauaihau district: kalihiwai stream valley just sw of highway 56; Secondary vegetation with pasture in valley and slopes with Psidium, Syzygium malaccense, and Aleurites. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lorence, d.h. lorence, g.; goo, l. collector number: 5982 Kauai BISH 4/23/1988
96 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. Waiahole Trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kerr, M. 3-A Oahu BISH 12/30/1945
97 Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg. begining of waiahole ditch trail, side of road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN stone, b.c. collector number: 2709 Oahu BISH 11/27/1958
Back to Top