Devil's Claw Flower
Proboscidea louisianica (Mill.) Thell.
Devil's Claw is a dramatic and botanically fascinating native wildflower of the American Southwest, bearing showy trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of cream, pink, and violet. Equally famous for its extraordinary hooked seed pods — the iconic "claws" — it symbolizes ingenuity, transformation, and the enduring craftsmanship of Indigenous culture.
Martyniaceae (Unicorn Plant family)
Summer to early fall (June–September), coinciding with monsoon rains
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: king proteas and gloriosa superbas also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Devil's Claw holds one of the most distinctive cultural legacies of any Southwestern plant. The Tohono O'odham people of southern Arizona and northwestern Mexico are so closely connected to this plant that they domesticated it — selectively breeding strains with exceptionally long claws specifically to yield more fiber for their extraordinary coiled baskets. The contrast between the flower's prettiness and the pod's fierce appearance perfectly embodies the plant's paradoxical personality. Spanish-speaking communities knew the ripe pods as garrapatas (ticks) for their tenacious grip. The plant's formal genus name, Proboscidea, comes from the Greek for "elephant's trunk," a nod to the long curved beak of the fresh green pod before it splits. It was first collected for Western science by Lieutenant William Hemsley Emory on October 28, 1846, near Safford, Arizona — one of the earliest botanical records from the Arizona Territory.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun; a heat-loving plant that performs best in open, exposed sites
Water
Low to moderate; germinates and thrives after summer monsoon rains; the deep taproot (up to 9 inches) allows access to stored moisture in dry periods
Soil
Sandy loam, Sandy, Clay loam, Well-drained, Dry to moderately moist
Expert Growing Tips
Cultivate similarly to okra: plant seeds in warm soil after last frost in full sun
Thin plants to at least 4 feet apart — they spread very wide
Grows best in dry, poor to average soil; rich or waterlogged soil reduces performance
The entire plant is coated in sticky, glandular hairs — wear old clothes and gloves when handling
Harvest young green pods (under 4 inches) for pickling and eating like okra; allow others to mature for dried pods
Note: dried pods with spread claws can injure livestock noses and feet — manage accordingly on ranches
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Garden novelty and conversation-piece planting for the exotic seed pods
- Dried flower and pod arrangements; pods are long-lasting and structurally striking
- Native plant and ethnobotanical gardens
- Large-scale wildflower planting in appropriate arid or semi-arid zones
- Holiday and craft decoration — dried claw pods are used in wreaths and ornaments
Traditional Uses
- Widely used in Indigenous basketry: the Tohono O'odham domesticated this plant specifically to harvest the long fibers of the dried pod claws for weaving the black patterning in their distinctive coiled baskets — a practice still active today
- The Hopi, Apache, Havasupai, and Kawaiisu also incorporated the dried claws into basket designs and used them as sewing implements
- A black dye can be extracted from the dry pods, especially when combined with ash
- Fresh young pods and seeds are edible — pods were pickled or cooked; seeds were eaten roasted or raw by various Indigenous peoples
- The sticky glandular hairs were once thought to make the plant carnivorous; it is not, but the trapped insects attracted predatory assassin bugs that may provide some pest control benefit
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Devil's Claw Flower
What does the devil's claw flower look like?
The flowers are showy, funnel-shaped trumpets 1.5–2 inches long with 5 unequal lobes. They range in color from cream-white to pink, rose, and violet-purple, with a throat richly patterned with purple-brown spots and yellow nectar guide lines — resembling a foxglove or gloxinia.
What does devil's claw symbolize?
Devil's Claw symbolizes ingenuity, transformation, and craftsmanship — a plant whose threatening appearance conceals both beauty (its showy flowers) and extraordinary cultural value (its fibers used for centuries in Indigenous basket weaving). It speaks to paradox and hidden purpose.
Is devil's claw flower edible?
Yes — young green pods under 4 inches long are edible and have been pickled or cooked like okra by both Indigenous peoples and settlers. The seeds are also edible roasted or raw. The ripe mature pods become fibrous and woody and are not eaten.
Why is it called devil's claw?
The name comes from the dried seed pod, which splits from its long curved beak into two sharp, hook-like 'claws' that latch onto the fur, hooves, and legs of passing animals (and the boots and socks of passing people) to disperse the seeds — an ingeniously effective and somewhat painful dispersal strategy.
What is devil's claw used for in Native American culture?
The Tohono O'odham domesticated devil's claw specifically for basketry, selectively breeding strains with extra-long pod claws to harvest the tough black fibers for weaving intricate patterns in their coiled baskets. The Hopi, Apache, Havasupai, and Kawaiisu also used the pods for basket designs, sewing implements, and black dye — uses that continue today.
Is devil's claw the same as the devil's claw herbal supplement?
No — the herbal supplement called devil's claw is made from Harpagophytum procumbens, an entirely different African plant used for joint pain and inflammation. Proboscidea louisianica (the flowering devil's claw of the American Southwest) is a separate, unrelated species with a very different use history.
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