Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form a double hook, known as the 'double claw' or 'devil's claws' that easily catch on anything brushing past to disperse the seeds. (Not to be confused with the African 'devil's claw' of a completely different species and different use.) Proboscidea parviflora, 'double claw' fruits when picked young and tender green can be cooked like okra or pickled. Older, larger fruits are allowed to dry. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The long, dried curved seed pods are collected for basket-making. These pods are made of an unusually tough fiber and are split along the longest lengths to form dark, rugged cords that are highly valued for traditional Native culture basketry. Proboscidea parviflora is one of several very similar varieties, distinguished by its purple/pink flowers with a yellow nectar guide stripe. The plant's leaves and fruits are hairy and sticky, but easily washed. Date: 2 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - Here shown a dried, opened double claw seed pod showing the tough ovary walls that protect a second layer of seeds on each side of the split pod. The seed pod form allows it to slowly split symmetrically to open to drop only a couple of seeds at a time, reducing chances for overcrowding of sprouts in any one spot. The ovary walls hold the remaining seeds much longer before they degrade enough to release the seeds inside them. A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form a double hook, known as the 'double claw'. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The splints from the longest, dried curved 'hooks' are collected for south-western U.S. traditional Native basket-making. Roughly 25 - 30 seeds in an average seed pod. Average seed size - 1 cm in length. Date: 12 October 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form a double hook, known as the 'double claw' or 'devil's claws' that easily catch on anything brushing past to disperse the seeds. (Not to be confused with the African 'devil's claw' of a completely different species and different use.) Proboscidea parviflora, 'double claw' fruits when picked young and tender green can be cooked like okra or pickled. Older, larger fruits are allowed to dry. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The long, dried curved seed pods have for centuries been collected for their strong fibers used in south-western U.S. traditional Native basketry. Cuisine: Here shown a side dish of fresh tender green double claws sautéed in olive oil with onion, salt and pepper. Very easy and similar in handling to cooking sautéed okra and can be substituted in many well-known okra recipes. Date: 7 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form a double hook, known as the 'double claw' or 'devil's claws' that easily catch on anything brushing past to disperse the seeds. (Not to be confused with the African 'devil's claw' of a completely different species and different use.) Proboscidea parviflora, 'double claw' fruits when picked young and tender green can be cooked like okra or pickled. Older, larger fruits are allowed to dry. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The long, dried curved seed pods have for centuries been collected for their strong fibers used in south-western U.S. traditional Native basketry. Cuisine: here shown sliced fresh tender double claw pods with fresh chopped onions ready to be sautéed. Can be substituted for okra in many well-known okra recipes. Date: 7 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form a double hook, known as the 'double claw' or 'devil's claws' that easily catch on anything brushing past to disperse the seeds. (Not to be confused with the African 'devil's claw' of a completely different species and different use.) Proboscidea parviflora, 'double claw' fruits when picked young and tender green can be cooked like okra or pickled. Older, larger fruits are allowed to dry. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The long, dried curved seed pods are collected for south-western U.S. traditional Native basket-making. Shown here the drying pod has split to expose the dark fibers used for basketry and is shedding the green outer skin. These pods each contain about 25 edible seeds. Date: 12 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Flower of Proboscidea parviflora, devil's claw or doubleclaw, in my garden. P. parviflora ssp. parviflora var. hohokamiana according to [1]. Date: 17 August 2008. Source: Own work. Author: JerryFriedman.
Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form a double hook, known as the 'double claw' or 'devil's claws' that easily catch on anything brushing past to disperse the seeds. (Not to be confused with the African 'devil's claw' of a completely different species and different use.) Proboscidea parviflora, 'double claw' fruits when picked young and tender green can be cooked like okra or pickled. Older, larger fruits are allowed to dry. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The long, dried curved seed pods have for centuries been collected for their strong fibers used in south-western U.S. traditional Native basketry. Here fresh harvested double claw pods will be sorted to select the tender younger pods for cooking. The tougher, more mature bigger pods will be set aside to dry - saved for seeds and basket fibers. Date: 7 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form two large hooks, known as the 'double claw' or 'devil's claws' that easily catch on anything brushing past to disperse the seeds. (Not to be confused with the African 'devil's claw' of a completely different species and different use.) Proboscidea parviflora, 'double claw' fruits when picked young and tender green can be cooked like okra or pickled. Older, larger fruits are allowed to dry. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The long, dried curved seed pods are collected for basket-making. These pods are made of an unusually tough fiber and are split along the longest lengths to form dark, rugged cords that are highly valued for traditional Native culture basketry. Proboscidea parviflora is one of several very similar varieties, distinguished by its purple/pink flowers with a yellow nectar guide stripe. The plant's leaves and fruits are hairy and sticky, but easily washed. Each pod contains about 30 seeds. Date: 2 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Hornworm infestation on fruiting Proboscidea parviflora (native to the southwestern United States) called 'double claw' or 'unicorn plant' or 'devil's claw.'. Date: 20 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Fruits of doubleclaw or red devil's claw, Proboscidea parviflora, white-seeded variety cultivated by the Sonora Indians according to Plants of the Southwest, P. parviflora ssp. parviflora var. hohokamiana according to [1]. The center part of the "Y", excluding the stem, is about 7.5 cm long. Some lightening and increased contrast. Date: 15 November 2008. Source: Own work. Author: JerryFriedman.
Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form a double hook, known as the 'double claw' or 'devil's claws' that easily catch on anything brushing past to disperse the seeds. (Not to be confused with the African 'devil's claw' of a completely different species and different use.) Proboscidea parviflora, 'double claw' fruits when picked young and tender green can be cooked like okra or pickled. Older, larger fruits are allowed to dry. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The long, dried curved seed pods have for centuries been collected for their strong fibers used in south-western U.S. traditional Native basketry. Cuisine: Here shown, slicing young tender fresh double claw for a simple pan sauté recipe using olive oil, onions, salt and pepper. Date: 7 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form a double hook, known as the 'double claw' or 'devil's claws' that easily catch on anything brushing past to disperse the seeds. (Not to be confused with the African 'devil's claw' of a completely different species and different use.) Proboscidea parviflora, 'double claw' fruits when picked young and tender green can be cooked like okra or pickled. Older, larger fruits are allowed to dry. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The long, dried curved seed pods have for centuries been collected for their strong fibers used in south-western U.S. traditional Native basketry. Cuisine: Here shown a tender fresh double claw pod split lengthwise along the spine to show seeds. Can be easily cooked at this early stage. Date: 7 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form two large hooks, known as the 'double claw' or 'devil's claws' , 'ram's horns' that easily catch on anything brushing past to disperse the seeds. (Not to be confused with the African 'devil's claw' of a completely different species and different use.) Proboscidea parviflora, 'double claw' fruits when picked young and tender green can be cooked like okra or pickled. Older, larger fruits are allowed to dry. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The long, dried curved seed pods are collected for basket-making. These pods are made of an unusually tough fiber and are split along the longest lengths to form dark, rugged cords that are highly valued for traditional Native culture basketry. The dark, almost black threads particularly in Hopi and Papago baskets come from these seed pods. Proboscidea parviflora is one of several very similar varieties, distinguished by its purple/pink flowers with a yellow nectar guide stripe. The plant's leaves and fruits are hairy and sticky, but easily washed. Each pod contains about 30 seeds. Date: 2 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.
Description: English: Seeds of doubleclaw or red devil's claw, Proboscidea parviflora, ssp. parviflora var. hohokamiana (according to [1]), on a rock in my garden, Española, New Mexico. Scale in cm. The pale color is apparently characteristic of this variety, cultivated by Indians for its edible seeds. The photo has been darkened to remove overexposure, and there's some unsharp mask on the seeds and rock. Date: 29 November 2008. Source: Own work. Author: JerryFriedman.
Description: English: Proboscidea parviflora - A very important traditional indigenous edible and useful plant of the southwest United States. When green the distinctive curve of this fruit earned the name 'unicorn' plant, but when dry the fruits split along the spine to form a double hook, known as the 'double claw' or 'devil's claws' that easily catch on anything brushing past to disperse the seeds. (Not to be confused with the African 'devil's claw' of a completely different species and different use.) Proboscidea parviflora, 'double claw' fruits when picked young and tender green can be cooked like okra or pickled. Older, larger fruits are allowed to dry. The dried seeds are edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten dry, crushed for oil or ground into flour. The long, dried curved seed pods have for centuries been collected for their strong fibers used in south-western U.S. traditional Native basketry. Cuisine: Here shown, young tender double claw pods are easily sliced for cooking. Date: 7 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.