Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - August 30, 2014
From: Albuquerque, NM
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Problem Plants
Title: Seed pod of Proboscidea louisianica (Deveil's claw) in New Mexico
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I found the most amazing seed pods of the devil's claw right here in Albuquerque. I thought it was a wood skeleton of a pterodactyl (flying dinosaur, I believe), but heard it's a devil's claw. Okay, why is it here in central NM? I heard it's more like Gila area. Then on top of it all, I keep finding little goat's head type stickers on my carpet. Ouch!ANSWER:
There are four species of Proboscidea that, according to the USDA Plants Database, grow in New Mexico (click on Subordinate Taxa in the menu to see the different species):
Proboscidea parviflora (Doubleclaw) occurs in Bernalillo County. Here are more photos and information from Arizona Wild Flowers.
Proboscidea louisianica (Louisiana devil's-claw) occurs in eastern counties of New Mexico. The USDA Plants Database shows the nearest county to Bernalillo County where this species occurs is Guadalupe County. Here are more photos and information from Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers.
The USDA Plants Database distribution map for Proboscidea althaeifolia (Desert unicorn-plant) shows Socorro County to be the nearest county to Bernalillo County where it occurs. Here are photos and more information from Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers.
The USDA Plants Database distribution map for Proboscidea sabulosa (Sanddune unicorn) also shows Socorro County to be the nearest county to Bernalillo County where it occurs. Here are photos and more information from New Mexico Rare Plants.
Curiously, Proboscidea spicata (New Mexico unicorn-plant) occurs only in Texas and not in New Mexico. You can see a line drawing and read a description of it in Rare Plants of Texas: A Field Guide by Jackie Poole et al. 2007. Texas A&M Press. p. 409.
In order to see the county distribution for each species, click on the general distribution map on the USDA Plants Database page for each species and use the sliding bar on the map to magnify the map. Clicking on the map and moving the cursor will change the location.
Now, I can't say for sure which one you found in Albuquerque, but I'd put my money on P. parviflora.
As for the goat's head sticker on your carpet, check the shoes you wear outdoors as well as your dog(s) and cat(s). One of those is the culprit bringing them inside! Here is information from UC Davis IPC Online about managing one likely suspect, Tribulus terrestris (Puncturevine), an invasive from southern Europe.
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Identification Questions
Hummingbird plants and Indian Hawthorn
May 13, 2008 - I live in The Woodlands in a new section of homes. I planted some hummingbird plants in full sun and they did ok last year for 4 months, then lost all their leaves and died when the winter came. At ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
July 29, 2008 - I have found what resembles a gooseberry growing from what appears to be a grapevine trellising on a fence beside a lake in East Texas. The stems are smooth and slender, nad as I stated before vine up...
view the full question and answer
Identification of blue wildflower on roadsides in Massachusetts
July 28, 2012 - What is the blue wildflower planted on roadsides and highways in Massachusetts?
view the full question and answer
Trees with white blossoms in Crockett, Texas
March 21, 2015 - What are the trees that are blooming just East of Crockett Texas (off of Hwy 21) right now - fairly large trees - multitude of white blooms - almost like a wild plum or pear, but tree seems too large?...
view the full question and answer
Plant Identification in Houston, TX
October 10, 2013 - This plant to a bout a foot high. It almost looks like a weed and has a 2 in. furry top at the end. Also they were all gathered in a clump randomly around each other. What is this ?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |