Cat's Claw
Uncaria guianensis
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. C91C — Uncaria guianensis
Uncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensisUncaria guianensis
IOverview
Overview
Cat's Claw (Uncaria guianensis) is a woody vine native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, including countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, and Venezuela. This plant thrives in light, full sun conditions with moist soil that is well-drained and can tolerate a range of soil types from sandy to medium. Cat's Claw is known for its edible parts, particularly the sap and stem, making it valuable as both an ornamental and food source. Its distinctive feature includes large, showy flowers that are often a vibrant red or orange, adding a striking touch to any garden setting.
Quick answers
What is Cat's Claw?
Cat's Claw (Uncaria guianensis) is a woody vine native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, including countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, and Venezuela.
What is Cat's Claw used for?
Traditionally used for immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Cat's Claw
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Cat's Claw appears in herbal sources around seasonal wellness traditions, often as a traditional preparation. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Cat's Claw support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Cat's Claw thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil that is light (sandy) or medium. It can grow up to 30 meters tall and is hardy in zones 10-12, making it suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. For propagation, stem cuttings are effective. Harvest the sap and stems for use.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
10-12
Mature size
30.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Cat's Claw for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple, light-loving sapling for your first Cat's Claw experience.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Cat's Claw plant and some basic gardening tools like pruners.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when the weather is warm and stable.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a well-draining potting mix suitable for light soil conditions.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant your Cat's Claw sapling into a large container with good drainage holes.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist and place it in full sun, ensuring it gets plenty of light.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly to maintain moisture levels but avoid overwatering. Provide ample sunlight.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune lightly to encourage bushy growth and remove any dead or damaged stems.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough light, and neglecting regular pruning.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:SapStem
Edible uses: Drink
Other uses:Lumber
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
13 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
13 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 13 native
Americas9 regions
native (9)BoliviaColombiaEcuadorFrench GuianaGuyanaParaguayPeruSurinameVenezuela
Broader regions
native:Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil West-Central, Trinidad-Tobago
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
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