Proboscidea parviflora

Proboscidea parviflora definitely looks like a desert plant

Today I am going to show you one of the very rare plants. Well. at least it is rare in this area. The name is Proboscidea parviflora or devils horn. Other common names are ram's horns, devils' claw or unicorn plant. It is a low growing plant with big wide leaves. The flowers are rather big compared to the size of the plant. The plant produces seed pods that look like ram's horns. hence the common name. The stem is covered with hairs and is sticky to the touch.

Proboscidea parviflora

In spite of the sinister name, the fruits of this plant are edible while they are soft. As they mature they become too woody.
 

Proboscidea parviflora (devils' horns)

The plant is part of the family Martyniaceae. It used to be part of the order Scrophulariales (the order is the rank above family, indeed it does have superficial resemblance to Schrophulariae) but now is considered to be part of Lamiales.