Devils Claw

The hooks on Devil's claw seed pods can reach lengths up to six inches.

NPS/ Mark Draper

Devils claw (Proboscidea parviflora) develops broadly ovate-triangular leaf blades that sprawl with a vine-like appearance and carry a somewhat unpleasant smell. This sticky foliage makes way for the 5 petal tubular pink and white flowers that begin to bloom in June. Inside the flower, yellow stripes and purplish freckles help guide pollinators to the center of the flower.

Pollinated flowers will develop into long curved bean-like pods that hold approximately 40 black seeds in two rows. In late summer to early fall the pods dry out, splitting lengthwise to make a claw that will assist with seed dispersal. Attaching to the leg or body of a grazing animals, the pod is shaken, loosening and eventually dropping the seeds back to the ground.

Historically devil’s claw has been an important plant for tribes in the southwest. Young or smaller seed pods were used for food, while mature seed pods were collected, split and used for their black color in basketry designs. Native Americans valued the longer seed pods for easing the process of basket making and would plant the seeds from these genetically beneficial pods for future use.