Latches on and sticks (5)
I believe the answer is:
twigs
I believe this is a double definition.
'latches on' is the first definition.
('twig' can be a synonym of 'latch on')
'sticks' is the second definition.
(sticks from a tree)
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for twigs that I've seen before include "Slender (tree) shoots" , "Kindling" , "Slender woody shoots" , "Small branches" , "Catches on" .)