Submitted by Terumi Saito


Devil's Claw, or Martynia (Proboscidea) louisianica, is known for its okra-like young pods and oddly shaped mature seedpods. This plant is named for John Martyn, a botany professor at Cambridge during the early 18th century. It may also be listed as Martinas or Martinoes in some old cookbooks. Though some regard this plant as a common weed, a closer look reveals its many virtues.

Martynia produces attractive soft pink flowers throughout summer and fall. The leaves resemble those of a squash plant. Martynia shares comparable growing conditions with okra, and its young seedpods also bear striking similarity to those of okra. Young green pods will grow to between 4 and 6 inches long and are edible raw or cooked like okra (i.e., boiling, stewing, frying, pickling, etc). They are high in protein and were often used as an okra substitute in traditional cooking. The pods were very popular in old Cajun cuisine.

As the green pod matures, it becomes black and coarse, hence the name Devil's Claw. There are many uses for mature pods, including in dried flower arrangements. But despite their devilish charm, one must handle the pods very carefully to avoid being pricked by their sharp points.

Martynia is indigenous to the middle and southwest regions of the United States. Native Americans would eat the seeds, and they extracted a black dye from the pods. They also used the pods' black fibers in basket-weaving.

Martynia grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall and performs best in hot, humid weather with warm summer nights. It is drought-tolerant and sun-loving, requiring minimal care in the garden. Mature pods left on the plant will dry and pop open, allowing them to self-seed for the next growing season.

According to folklore, okra and martynia are planted when the corn is 4 inches tall in the field. Start the plants in the garden either by directly sowing seeds one-inch deep in the ground after the danger of frost or by transplanting seedlings started indoors. For starting indoors, sow seeds in individual containers in early spring. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart in the garden.

To save the seeds, carefully remove them from dried pods and further dry the seeds. Store dried seeds in a cool, dry place.

Terumi Saito is a graduate student in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences. She works under the guidance of Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens. The UT Gardens are a project of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. The original gardens are located in Knoxville on Neyland Drive. Additional gardens are located in Jackson on Airways Blvd. Admission is free, and the Gardens are open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.

Terumi Saito is a graduate student in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences. She works under the guidance of Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens. The UT Gardens are a project of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. The original gardens are located in Knoxville on Neyland Drive. Additional gardens are located in Jackson on Airways Blvd. Admission is free, and the Gardens are open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.

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