Uncaria elliptica
Uncaria ellipticica, commonly known as a species of Cat's Claw, is a medicinal woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used to support immune health, reduce inflammation, and treat various ailments, making it a vital resource in ethnobotanical studies.
- Scientific name: Uncaria elliptica
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Uncaria elliptica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is further classified under the order Gentianaales. Finally, it is a member of the family Rubiaceae and falls under the genus Uncaria.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Uncaria | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is specifically noted in Sri Lanka. It is also widely distributed throughout the Indo-China region, including Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Furthermore, the species can be found within the Malesia region, particularly on the island of Borneo. These varied locations highlight the significant range of this medicinal species across tropical landscapes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Sumatera | WCVP |