grapple plant

noun

1. a procumbent, thorny plant, Harpagophytum procumbens, of southern Africa.

grapple plant

noun

1. Also called: wait-a-bit. a herbaceous plant, Harpagophytum procumbens, of southern Africa, whose fruits are covered with large woody barbed hooks: family Pedaliaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of grapple plant¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

“The poor creature has got this seed-vessel of the grapple plant into his mouth,” he said, exhibiting it.

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David, who examined it, said it came from the plant Uncaria procumbens; or grapple plant.

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