Proboscidea parviflora - fruits

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 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.