Martynia annua

FAMILY

Martyniaceae

Common name

Devil’s Claw

Distinguishing features

This erect herb has sticky hairs stems and leaves. The leaves are opposite up to 12.5 cm diameter, somewhat triangular to orbicular in shape with 5-7 shallow lobes. Flowers in racemes, corolla tubular, lobes unequal, purplish-pink with darker blotches. The distinctive fruit initially has a fleshy outer part this falls off leaving a woody layer with crests and spines, this fruits then splits into two and the beak then forms two horns. These clawed ‘fruits cause damage to anything walking on them.