Proboscidea parviflora - double claw. drying seed pod shedding

Description:

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. Here the tough, dark-colored inner pod is revealed when the outer skin dries, releases and falls away. Seed pods contain approximately 20-30 seeds. Date: 14 September 2017. Source: Own work. Author: T.K. Naliaka.