Proboscidea (plant)
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Through Flowering plant
Uses
The fruits of all species are edible before they ripen and become woody. They can be steamed and eaten much like okra. Some species (particularly Proboscidea parviflora) are used in basket weaving by the Tohono O'odham who have selected for varieties with longer "claws." The Chemehuevi also use devil's claw pods in basketry. The Hia C-eḍ Oʼodham and the Tohono O'odham eat the seeds, which provided an important source of dietary oils. Proboscidea parviflora was also used as a remedy for rheumatism.
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Species
Species include:
- Proboscidea althaeifolia - devil's horn, devil's claw, or desert unicorn plant
- Proboscidea louisianica - ram's horn
- Proboscidea parviflora - doubleclaw, (red) devil's claw
- Proboscidea sabulosa - dune unicorn plant
- Proboscidea spicata - New Mexico unicorn plant
Proboscidea lutea is a synonym of Ibicella lutea.
More in Biology
Family (taxonomy)Taxonomic rank between genus and orderEndemismState of species being unique to a locationCladeGroup of a common ancestor and all of their descendantsGenomeAll genetic material of an organismOrder (taxonomy)Taxonomic rank between class and familyType speciesTerm used in biological nomenclature

