Uncaria cordata (Lour.) Merr., Interpr. Herb. Amboin. 479 (1917)

Synonyms
Restiaria cordata Lour.

Description
Scrambler to vine, climbing with hooks from the axils of opposite leaf pairs. Leaves opposite, densely veined with veins very conspecicous on leaf lower surface. Stipules present between each pair of leaves. Infloresences forming flower heads on short hooked stalks which later form the climbing hooks. The infloresecnces are placed in the leaf axils. Flowers forming long tubes with short lobes. Fruits dry capsules that, when dry split open and expose many small seeds that are probably wind dispersed.

Ecology
Mostly on open places in the forest and in open secondary vegetation and along roads and forest edges.

Uses

Distribution
Indochina to New Guinea and Australia (Northern Queensland).

Local names