Dolichandra unguis-cati, a friend or a foe? A study on honey production potential

The University of Peradeniya’s grounds are home to the famous Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G. Lohmann; cat’s claw vine, which blooms primarily from March through May. The vine has received a lot of attention mostly for its showy flowers. Being an invasive species, D. unguis-cati can pose a threat to the native flora and fauna. Yet, the vine also has positive impacts. Therefore, we looked at nectar production dimensions, the average brix value of nectar, honey production potential (HPP) and the honeybee colony carrying capacity (HCCC) of the vine specific to the garden of the University of Peradeniya, which reveals that it is a significant source of food for foraging bees. A vine had an average flower density of 154,700 per vine and 324 per m2. Each blossom produced nectar for at least four days. The average sugar content per blossom was 6.3 mg and an average of 3.94 kg of sugar was thought to be generated by each plant. The HPP per plant in the experiment was 4.58 kg, whereas the estimated HPP at the study site was between 77 - 125 kg. This gave an HCCC rating between 15 and 25. As a result, D. unguis-cati serves as a safe haven for honeybees and a vital food supply for insects, which are crucial in ecology. This study only considered the honey production potential; any other impact on the local flora and fauna has not been considered.