The herb's botanical name, Uncaria, is from the Latin uncus, for "hook." ... , also known as Uno de Gato csp (its Spanish name), is a high-climbing, woody vine that grows profusely ... two curved thorns that resemble the claws of a cat (hence its name); these allow the vine to climb up ... canopy. The herb's botanical name, Uncaria, is from the Latin uncus, for "hook."Two species of cat's claw are harvested ...