Devil's claw, Tiger claw
Martynia annua

Family: Martyniaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is branched and grows 1.5 m high. The stem is succulent. The leaves are opposite and almost heart shaped. They are 7-15 cm long and 7-20 cm wide. There are small teeth. The flowers are showy and lilac and mottled red, blue or yellow inside. The fruit is a capsule 3 cm long.

The fruit is used in medicine. There is only one Martynia species. (?) Several names are unresolved. It grows in Mexico.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows near Bombay in India. In Pakistan it grows up to about 1,000 m altitude. In southern China it grows between 500-1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Costa Rica, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti (country/location of origin), Himalayas, Honduras, India, Laos, Leeward Is., Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin) Laos, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, NIgeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad-Tobago, Vietnam, West Indies (country/location of origin), Winward is.

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten. The fruit is eaten. The bark of the fruit is chewed.

They are a famine food.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, bark

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bag lucha, Bagh noki, Bagha-nekhi, Baghjuge, Bana sarsar, Bichu, Garuda-mukku, Hathajori, Khata amba, Puli-nagam, Puli-nakham, Telukondichettu, Thelkodukkukai, Vichchida, Vinchu

Synonyms

Martynia diandra Gloxin; Martynia jussieui (Syeud.) J. T. Howell; Vatkea diandra O. Hoffm.; and others