Uncaria: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:50, 9 February 2025

Genus of plants in the family Rubiaceae

Uncaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The genus comprises about 34 species, which are distributed in tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The plants are commonly known as "cat's claw" due to the hook-like thorns that resemble a cat's claw.

Description

Uncaria species are woody climbers or lianas. They are characterized by their hook-like thorns, which they use to attach to other vegetation. The leaves are opposite, simple, and have entire margins. The flowers are small, tubular, and typically arranged in dense clusters. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous seeds.

Distribution and habitat

Uncaria species are found in tropical regions across the world. They thrive in humid, forested environments and are often found climbing on trees in rainforests. Some species, such as Uncaria tomentosa, are native to the Amazon rainforest, while others, like Uncaria gambir, are found in Southeast Asia.

Uses

Several species of Uncaria have traditional medicinal uses. Uncaria tomentosa, commonly known as cat's claw, is used in traditional medicine in South America for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Uncaria gambir is used in Southeast Asia for its astringent properties and is a source of gambir, a substance used in tanning and dyeing.

Species

Some notable species of Uncaria include:

Uncaria tomentosa - Cat's claw
Uncaria gambir - Gambir
Uncaria rhynchophylla - Used in traditional Chinese medicine

Gallery

Uncaria histura

Related pages

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+{{short description|Genus of plants in the family Rubiaceae}}
 {{Taxobox
 | name = Uncaria
-| image = Uncaria_tomentosa.jpg
+| image = .jpg
-| image_caption = Uncaria tomentosa
+| image_caption = ''Uncaria gambir''
-| regnum = [[Plantae]]
-| unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]
-| unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]]
-| unranked_ordo = [[Asterids]]
-| ordo = [[Gentianales]]
-| familia = [[Rubiaceae]]
-| genus = '''''Uncaria'''''
-| genus_authority = [[Johann von Schreber|Schreb.]]
-| subdivision_ranks = Species
-| subdivision = See text
 }}
-'''Uncaria''' is a genus of flowering plants in the family [[Rubiaceae]], native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. The genus is known for its medicinal properties and is commonly referred to as "cat's claw" due to the hook-like thorns that resemble a cat's claw.
+'''Uncaria''' is a genus of flowering plants in the family [[Rubiaceae]]. The genus comprises about 34 species, which are distributed in tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The plants are commonly known as "cat's claw" due to the hook-like thorns that resemble a cat's claw.
 ==Description==
-Uncaria species are woody vines or lianas that can grow up to 30 meters in length. They are characterized by their hook-like thorns, which they use to climb trees and other structures. The leaves are opposite, simple, and elliptical, with a glossy surface. The flowers are small, tubular, and typically white or yellow, arranged in dense clusters.
+Uncaria species are woody climbers or lianas. They are characterized by their hook-like thorns, which they use to attach to other vegetation. The leaves are opposite, simple, and have entire margins. The flowers are small, tubular, and typically arranged in dense clusters. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous seeds.
-==Species==
+==Distribution and habitat==
-There are approximately 34 species within the genus Uncaria. Some of the most well-known species include:
+Uncaria species are found in tropical regions across the world. They thrive in humid, forested environments and are often found climbing on trees in rainforests. Some species, such as ''[[Uncaria tomentosa]]'', are native to the Amazon rainforest, while others, like ''[[Uncaria gambir]]'', are found in Southeast Asia.
-* '''''[[Uncaria tomentosa]]''''', commonly known as cat's claw, is native to the Amazon rainforest and is widely used in traditional medicine.
+==Uses==
-* '''''[[Uncaria rhynchophylla]]''''', known as Gou Teng, is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
+Several species of Uncaria have traditional medicinal uses. ''Uncaria tomentosa'', commonly known as cat's claw, is used in traditional medicine in South America for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. ''Uncaria gambir'' is used in Southeast Asia for its astringent properties and is a source of gambir, a substance used in tanning and dyeing.
-* '''''[[Uncaria guianensis]]''''', another species used for its medicinal properties.
-==Medicinal Uses==
+==Species==
-Uncaria species have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The most studied species, ''Uncaria tomentosa'', is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties. It is used to treat a variety of ailments, including arthritis, digestive disorders, and viral infections.
+Some notable species of Uncaria include:
+* ''[[Uncaria tomentosa]]'' - Cat's claw
+* ''[[Uncaria gambir]]'' - Gambir
+* ''[[Uncaria rhynchophylla]]'' - Used in traditional Chinese medicine
-''Uncaria rhynchophylla'' is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat hypertension, headaches, and dizziness. It is believed to have neuroprotective effects and is used in the treatment of neurological disorders.
+==Gallery==
+<gallery>
+''Uncaria gambir''
+File:Uncaria_histura_at_Elmina_West_in_Seksyen_U15,_Shah_Alam_20231105_111011.jpg|''Uncaria histura''
+</gallery>
-==Phytochemistry==
+==Related pages==
-Uncaria species contain a variety of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins. The alkaloids are thought to be responsible for many of the medicinal properties of these plants. Some of the key alkaloids found in Uncaria include rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, and mitraphylline.
-==Conservation==
-Due to overharvesting and habitat destruction, some species of Uncaria are at risk of becoming endangered. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these valuable medicinal plants and their natural habitats.
-==Also see==
 * [[Rubiaceae]]
-* [[Traditional medicine]]
+* [[Medicinal plants]]
-* [[Herbalism]]
+* [[Liana]]
-* [[Phytotherapy]]
-{{Rubiaceae}}
 [[Category:Rubiaceae]]
 [[Category:Medicinal plants]]
-[[Category:Flora of South America]]
-[[Category:Flora of Asia]]