An unusual annual plant with edible fruit. Flowers are long white-yellowish and mottled with purple, they are almost orchid-like, with long curving beaks. The seedpods can be picked young and pickled (like okra and cucumbers), the pods are 1″ thick and 4-6″ long and are also great in dried flower arrangements. Leaves are 4-12″ wide, large, rounded leaves with a slight point on the tip. A very bold and striking foliage plant.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Devil’s Claw
Proboscidea louisianica
Plant Type: Annuals
Native Environment: Stream Edge, Wetland
Season of Interest:
Main Color: White, Yellow
Fall Color: Yellow
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Photo: Kathy Frazier Jenkins
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil
Moisture
Dry
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
2 to
3
feet
Spread:
2 to
4
feet
Size
Height: 2 to
3
feet
Spread: 2 to
4
feet
Size
Height: 2 to
3
feet
Spread: 2 to
4
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Great texture-a conversation piece!
Establishment and Care Instructions
Best in full sun and any well-drained soil. Easy to grow. Sow seeds directly where they will stay to grow. Likes the summer heat, will not grow early in the spring until the soil warms!
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Edible
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.