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Native Plant Society of Texas

Devil's Claw

Proboscidea louisianica

Other common name(s):

Louisiana Devil's-claw, Ram's-horn, Unicorn Plant, Proboscis Flower

Family:

Martyniaceae (Unicorn Plant Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, High Plains, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Arid Llano Estacado, Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains, Shinnery Sands
Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks
Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Annual

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Disturbed Areas, Grassland, Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, White, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Flowers, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Requires a well-drained porous soil in a warm sheltered position. A frost-tender species. Grow as a sturdy, heat and drought tolerant plant. Often blooms after a rain. The stem and leaves have an unpleasant odor. Native habitat: river banks, meadows, waste areas.

Description

Blooms May-September. A low, spreading, bushy plant, with large, palmately lobed leaves. Tubular, five-lobed flowers are spotted with purple and appear in clusters in leaf axils. The characteristic fruit is a fleshy, curved pod that splits into two “claws” when it dries.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Martynia louisianica, Proboscidea louisiana

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment The best time to plant seeds is in the spring, after the last frost has passed, or start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost. The seeds should be planted 1 to 2 inches deep in well-draining soil that has been amended with compost or other organic matter. The seeds should be kept moist but not waterlogged, and they should germinate within 2 to 3 weeks. Collect mature pods in the fall after turning brown, just before they begin to split open. The pods should be allowed to dry completely before the seeds are removed. Once separated, the seeds can be planted immediately or stored in a cool, dry place until planting is desired. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-proboscidea-louisianica/ 2) https://www.botanikks.com/plants/martynia-louisiana-miller/563020/1
Semi-harwood Cutting Remove any leaves from the bottom inch or two of the cutting and dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant your cuttings in a moist, well-draining potting mix. Place them in a bright, indirect light location. Keep the soil consistently moist during the rooting process, which usually takes 4-6 weeks. Take semi-hardwood cuttings from actively growing stems. Opt for sections with at least two sets of leaves and make a clean cut just below a leaf node. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-proboscidea-louisianica/
Rhizome Cutting The cuttings should be planted in well-draining soil and kept moist until new growth appears. It is important to keep the cuttings out of direct sunlight until they have rooted and begun to grow, as direct sunlight can dry out the tender new roots. Root cuttings should be taken in early spring, just as new growth is beginning. The cuttings should be about 4 to 6 inches long and should include several nodes. Each division should have its own roots and shoots. 1 ) https://www.botanikks.com/plants/martynia-louisiana-miller/563020/1
Clump Division The divided sections should be replanted immediately in well-draining soil and kept moist until new growth appears. Best for mature plants that have become woody or unproductive. Division should be done in the fall, just before the plant goes dormant. The plant should be carefully dug up and the root ball divided into several sections, each with its own set of roots and new growth. https://www.botanikks.com/plants/martynia-louisiana-miller/563020/1

About the Region

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This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason