see also under cat's claw! A member of the genus Uncaria, which belongs to the red family, found in South America. Uncaria tomentosa clings to supporting trees up into the canopy, where it spreads over large areas. Due to its characteristic thorns, which resemble the shape of a cat's claw, the plant is also known as cat's claw.
Phytotherapeutic use: see under Uncariae tomentosae radix