Unicorn Plant, Ram's horn
Proboscidea louisianica

Family: Martyniaceae

What it is like

Proboscidea louisianica is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

River banks and waste places. Naturalized as a weed in Portugal and S.E. Russia.

Southern N. America - Indiana to Iowa, Utah, Texas and New Mexico.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Young fruits, harvested whilst still tender enough to be pierced with a fork, can be sliced and added to soups as a thickening agent. They can also be parboiled and eaten as a vegetable or pickled in vinegar. They are sometimes pickled when immature. The fruit is about 4 - 6mm long. Seed - raw or cooked. High in protein and in oil. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. Root. No more details are given.

Oil: Oil

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

A black dye can be obtained from the seedpods. The long pointed seed capsule horns can be used as the black pattern material in coiled basketry.

Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Requires a well-drained porous soil in a warm sheltered position. A frost-tender species, it can be grown outdoors in Britain as a half-hardy annual. This species is closely related to P. fragrans. This species has occasionally been cultivated as a food crop.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. louisiana. Martynia louisiana.