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Proboscidea fragrans - (Lindl.)Decne.

Common Name Sweet Unicorn Plant, Ram's horn
Family Martyniaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range South-western N. America - Texas to Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Proboscidea fragrans Sweet Unicorn Plant, Ram


W.L. Wagner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Proboscidea fragrans Sweet Unicorn Plant, Ram
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Proboscidea_louisianica_subsp._fragrans_%28Martynia_fragrans%29_Edwards%27s_Bot._Reg._26._85._1840.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Proboscidea fragrans is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. louisianica fragrans. (Lindl.)Bretting. Martynia fragrans

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Seedpod
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked as a potherb with beans[183]. The half-ripe seedpods are cooked and eaten as a vegetable[2, 183]. They are 8 - 10cm long[188]. Seed - cooked[257]. Boiled and eaten[257]. The soft immature seeds can be eaten raw, roasted or ground into a paste[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry

The ripe seedpods are used as an ornament on willow baskets[2]. The pods are softened with lye and water, split, bent and used as sewing withes in coiled basketry[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained porous fertile soil in a warm sheltered position[188, 200]. A frost-tender species, it can be grown outdoors in Britain as a half-hardy annual. This species is closely related to P. louisianica[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

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[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Proboscidea louisianicaUnicorn Plant, Ram's hornAnnual1.0 9-11  LMHNM202

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Lindl.)Decne.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

judi fullington   Mon Apr 11 22:41:42 2005

i would like to plant the unicorn plant. where can i find the seed or seedlings to buy.

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Subject : Proboscidea fragrans  
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