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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Uncaria tomentosa is an evergreen Climber growing to 25 m (82ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Cinchona globifera Pav. ex DC. Nauclea aculeata Kunth Nauclea polycephala A.Rich. ex DC. Nauclea sur
Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Sap Stem
Edible Uses: Drink
The stems are a source of a potable sap that is used to quench thirst and as a restorative drink[331 , 646 ]. A watery, astringent taste[646 ].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiarthritic Antiasthmatic Antiinflammatory Antirheumatic Astringent Blood purifier Cancer Febrifuge
Kidney Mouthwash Skin Urinary
Cat's claw has a long history of traditional use, being employed in the treatment of a range of conditions including inflammations (especially rheumatism), arthritis, urinary tract infections and gastric ulcers. It has also been used as a blood purifier; to cleanse the kidneys; to recover from childbirth or treat menstrual irregularities; as a treatment for asthma[646 ]. Applied externally, it is used as a wash for wounds in order to promote healing, to cleanse the skin of impurities etc[646 ]. The plant is widely used in modern herbal medicine, where it is primarily valued for its stimulatory effect upon the immune system[646 ]. The part most commonly used is the stem bark[646 ]. Cat's claw has many modern applications, which is a common trait of herbs with immune stimulatory activity, and includes: disease prevention, cancer, recovery from chemotherapy side effects, recovery from childbirth, urinary tract infections, wounds, fevers, haemorrhages, and weakness. Applications for cat?s claw which have had some clinical research include viral infections, pain and symptoms of Herpes infections, and for inflammatory conditions, such as Rheumatoid arthritis[646 ]. Research has shown that the plant is anti-inflammatory, immune system stimulant, cytoprotective and antioxidant[646 ]. The whole plant is used in a gargle to remedy mouth ulcers[348 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.
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Other Uses
Furniture Wood
Other Uses: The stems are used in making furniture[646 ].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A plant of mainly low elevations in the tropics, where it can usually be found at elevations up to 300 metres. Grows best in dappled shade[646 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.2 - 7.7[646 ]. In some parts of the Atlantic coast of Central America the plant is reported to become a troublesome weed in banana plantations[331 ]. The stems are only large enough to harvest when they are 8 years or more old. Generally, it is recommended that the vine is cut at 20 - 100cm above the ground and left to regenerate[646 ].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Seed - it has a very short viability and needs to be sown as soon as it is ripe[646 ]. Stem cuttings about 20cm long[646 ]. If the soil of the forest is moist enough, the cuttings are said to be easy to reproduce by directly inserting them into the forest floor. If the conditions are right, the roots develop soon after transplanting[646 ].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
bejuco de agua, cat's claw, cat's thorn, cat's-claw, cat`s claw, cat’s claw, cortex uncariae, deixa, garabato, garabato amarillo, garabato colorado, garra gavilán, hank's clay, jipotatsa, katzenkralle, kug kukjaqui, micho-mentis, paotati-mosha, paraguyayo, rangaya, saventaro, toroñ, tsachik, tua juncara, una-de-gato, uncariae tomentosae cortex, uncariae tomentosae radix, uncucha, unganangi, unha de gato, uña de gato, uña de gato colorada, uña de gato de altura, uña de gato, corteza, uña-de-gato.
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
In some parts of the Atlantic coast of Central America the plant is reported to become a troublesome weed in banana plantations[331 ].
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(Willd. ex Schult.) DC.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
Readers comment
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Subject : Uncaria tomentosa
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