[4][2][5] It is a large tropical liana native to Central and South America.

[6] It contains highly toxic alkaloids and is one of the sources of the arrow poison curare – specifically 'tube curare', the name of which is derived from the name of the medicinally valuable alkaloid tubocurarine.

[7] The generic name is a compound of Greek χόνδρος ( chondros ) 'cartilage' / 'lump' / 'grain' and δένδρον ( dendron ) 'tree' – hence 'lumpy / gristly tree', while the specific name consists of the Latin adjectival form tomentosum 'covered in matted hairs'.

The binomial in its entirety thus conveys the image of a rather large coarse plant.

The large, glossy, cordate leaves are densely clothed beneath with a silky white pubescence, from which it gets its common name 'Velvet Leaf'.