Plant Proboscidea

Proboscidea is a genus of flowering plant in the family Martyniaceae, some of whose species are known as devil's claw, devil's horn, ram's horn, or unicorn plant. The plants produce long, hooked seed pods. The hooks catch on the feet of animals, and as the animals walk, the pods are ground or crushed open, dispersing the seeds. The name devil's claw is shared with the South African plant Harpagophytum procumbens.

Proboscidea
Proboscidea louisianica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Martyniaceae
Genus:	Proboscidea Schmidel
Species
See text

 

The fruits of all species are edible before they ripen and become woody. They can be steamed and eaten much like okra. Some species (particularly P. parviflora) are used in basket weaving by the Tohono O'odham who have selected for varieties with longer "claws." The Chemehuevi also use devil's claw pods in basketry. The Hia C-eḍ Oʼodham and the Tohono O'odham eat the seeds, which provided an important source of dietary oils. P. parviflora was also used as a remedy for rheumatism.

Species include:

• Proboscidea althaeifolia - devil's horn, devil's claw, or desert unicorn plant
• Proboscidea louisianica - ram's horn
• Proboscidea parviflora - doubleclaw, (red) devil's claw
• Proboscidea sabulosa - dune unicorn plant
• Proboscidea spicata - New Mexico unicorn plant

Proboscidea lutea is a synonym of Ibicella lutea.

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  P. louisianica
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  P. louisianica ssp. fragans
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  P. parviflora
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  Flower of P. parviflora ssp. parviflora var. hohokamiana
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  "Devil's claw" fruits of P. parviflora var. hohokamiana
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  "Devil's claw" capsule of Proboscidea althaeifolia
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  "Devil's claw" seeds of Proboscidea althaeifolia
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  Proboscidea parviflora - capsule and seeds - MHNT
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  Proboscidea parviflora var. hohokamiana - capsule and seeds - MHNT