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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)

Sand, Loam, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Flowers

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. Propagation: seed.

Comments

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://greg.app/propagate-devils-claw/ 2) 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

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason