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Devil's Claw
Proboscidea louisianica
γγγ΄γ
An annual herb native to North America, naturalized in Japan. The fruit bears two long hooked horns that catch on animal feet and fur for dispersal. Stems and leaves are densely covered with sticky glandular hairs and have a distinctive odor.
Identification Points
- βFruit with two long hooked horns (claws)
- βDensely covered with sticky glandular hairs throughout
- βFlowers bilabiate, purple to white, with attractive markings
Habitat
Roadsides and vacant lots (naturalized)
Season
JulyβSeptember (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Habitat
Roadside
Leaf type
Simple
Petal count
Many
Petal fusion
Fused
Stipules
Absent
Flower symmetry
Zygomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Stamen count
5
Phylogenetic Positionγγγ΄γη§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Lamiales > Martyniaceae
Divergence Era
Neogene to Quaternary
Evolution Notes
Martyniaceae belongs to Lamiales; the unique hooked fruit morphology is a specialized adaptation for epizoochorous (animal-attachment) dispersal.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification