Cat's claw
Rotheca uncinata

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 1.2 m high. The stems are spiny. They have 2 hooked thorns at the base of every leaf. The leaves are opposite and oval. They taper towards the tip. The flowers are bright red. They are 15 mm long. The fruit have an unpleasant smell. The fruit are 1-2 cm across. They turn from green to black when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in well-drained sandy soils. It can grow in places with a dry season of 6-11 months. It grows between 915-1,310 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Gabon, Malawi Namibia, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dareh, Lukato, Namuteketa

Synonyms

Kalaharia uncinata (Schinz) Moldenke; Kalaharia spinipes Baill.; Clerodendrum spinescens (Oliv.) Gurke; Clerodendrum uncinatum Schinz;