''Proboscidea'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Martyniaceae Martyniaceae is a family of flowering plants in the Lamiales order that are restricted to the Americas. The family was included in Pedaliaceae in the Cronquist system (under order Scrophulariales) but is recognized as a separate family by the An ...

, 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 Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

n plant '' Harpagophytum procumbens''.

Uses

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 Basket weaving (also basketry or basket making) is the process of weaving or sewing pliable materials into three-dimensional artifacts, such as baskets, mats, mesh bags or even furniture. Craftspeople and artists specialized in making baskets ...

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 The Hia C-eḍ Oʼodham ("Sand Dune People"), also known as Areneños or Sand Papagos are a Native American peoples whose traditional homeland lies between the Ajo Range, the Gila River, the Colorado River, and the Gulf of California. They are ...

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

Species include: * ''

Proboscidea althaeifolia Seeds MHNT ''Proboscidea althaeifolia'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Martyniaceae known by the common names desert unicorn-plant and yellow-flowered devil's claw. It is native to the desert southwest of the United States, wh ...

'' - devil's horn, devil's claw, or desert unicorn plant * ''

Proboscidea louisianica ''Proboscidea louisianica'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Martyniaceae. Its true native range is unclear, but probably includes parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico in North America.Proboscidea parviflora ''Proboscidea parviflora'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Martyniaceae known by the common names doubleclaw and red devil's-claw. It is native to the desert southwest of the United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in san ...

'' - doubleclaw, (red) devil's claw * ''

Proboscidea sabulosa ''Proboscidea sabulosa'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Martyniaceae known by the common names sanddune unicorn-plant, dune unicorn plant and dune devil's claw. It is native to Chihuahua in Mexico and New Mexico and Texas in the ...

'' - dune unicorn plant * ''

Proboscidea spicata ''Proboscidea spicata'', the New Mexico unicorn-plant, is a herbaceous, flowering plant. Distribution ''Proboscidea spicata'' occurs in southwest regions of Texas, and southeastern parts of New Mexico. Habitat and ecology ''Proboscidea spicata ...

'' - New Mexico unicorn plant ''Proboscidea lutea'' is a synonym of ''

Ibicella lutea ''Ibicella lutea'' (; syn. ''Martynia lutea, Proboscidea lutea'') is a species of flowering plant known by the common name yellow unicorn-plant. It grows in dry conditions, such as those in desert regions. It is native to South America, but has ...

''. Proboscidea louisianica3.jpg, ''P. louisianica'' Flor de cuernito (Proboscidea louisianica spp. fragrans).jpg, ''P. louisianica'' ssp. ''fragans'' Proboscidea parviflora.jpg, ''P. parviflora'' Proboscidea parviflora flower1.jpg, Flower of ''P. parviflora'' ssp. ''parviflora'' var. ''hohokamiana'' Proboscidea parviflora fruit1.jpg, "Devil's claw" fruits of ''P. parviflora'' var. ''hohokamiana'' Proboscidea althaeifolia MHNT.jpg, "Devil's claw" capsule of ''

'' Proboscidea althaeifolia MHNT Seeds.jpg, "Devil's claw" seeds of ''

'' File:Proboscidea parviflora MHNT.BOT.2011.18.23.jpg, Proboscidea parviflora - capsule and seeds - MHNT File:Proboscidea parviflora var.hohokamiana MHNT.BOT.2013.22.31.jpg, Proboscidea parviflora var.hohokamiana - capsule and seeds - MHNT

References

External links

USDA Image Gallery
{{DEFAULTSORT:Proboscidea (Plant) Martyniaceae Lamiales genera