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Devil's Claw Wikimedia Commons
Martyniaceae

Devil's Claw

Proboscidea louisianica

Tenacity and resourcefulness.

Family
Martyniaceae
Genus
Proboscidea
Native to
Southern United States, Mexico
Bloom season
Summer, Fall
Type
annual herb
Height
1-2 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
sandy, well-drained
Water
low
Hardiness
6-11
Lifespan
annual

Did you know

  • The hooked seed pods split open into two curved claws that attach to the hooves of passing animals to disperse seeds.
  • Native American tribes, especially the Tohono O'odham, domesticated devil's claw and bred varieties with longer fibers for basket weaving.
  • The immature green pods are edible and can be pickled, tasting similar to okra.
  • The plant produces a sticky, insect-trapping substance on its stems, leading some botanists to classify it as semi-carnivorous.
  • Devil's claw seed pods have been found in archaeological sites dating back over 8,000 years in the American Southwest.

Color meanings

0

grasping nature

1

determination

Uses

  • basket weaving
  • edible pods
  • ornamental dried arrangements