Uncaria scandens (Smith) Hutch
Claw Leo / Kelait (Bru.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Terrestrial large climber. Leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, adaxially subglabrous to hairy, abaxially sparsely hairy and drying papery. Leaf blade is ovate- oblong to lanceolate or elliptic- oblong, acuminate at apex, obtuse to subcordate at base with entire margin. Stems are brown, covered with short hairs and becoming stout when mature. Hooks are hairy. Inflorescence a head forming at leaf axils. Flowers are whitish or greenish or pale yellowish. Fruit a dry capsule that is filled with many small and
The young leaves are pounded to secrete the foamy liquid and made into a herbal bath as the local healers believe that it can throw away bad luck or locally known as ‘Buang sial’.
It prefers fertile soil under full sunlight to partial shade.
Seeds and stem cutting.
Distributed in Indochina, Asia, Malesia to New Guinea and Australia (Northern Queensland).
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