''Proboscidea'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...

in the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

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 Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

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 ''Proboscidea 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 The Chemehuevi ( ) are an indigenous people of the Great Basin. They are the southernmost branch of Southern Paiute. Today, Chemehuevi people are enrolled in the following federally recognized tribes: * Colorado River Indian Tribes * Cheme ...

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. ''Proboscidea parviflora'' was also used as a remedy for

rheumatism Rheumatism or rheumatic disorders are conditions causing chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissue. Rheumatism does not designate any specific disorder, but covers at least 200 different conditions, including a ...

Species

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''. 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 (botany), capsule of ''Proboscidea althaeifolia'' Proboscidea althaeifolia MHNT Seeds.jpg, "Devil's claw" seeds of ''Proboscidea althaeifolia'' File:Proboscidea parviflora MHNT.BOT.2011.18.23.jpg, ''Proboscidea parviflora'' - Capsule (botany), capsule and seeds - MHNT File:Proboscidea parviflora var.hohokamiana MHNT.BOT.2013.22.31.jpg, ''Proboscidea parviflora'' var. ''hohokamiana'' - Capsule (botany), capsule and seeds - MHNT

References

External links

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