devil's claw

English

Harpagophytum procumbens seed capsule

Proboscidea parviflora seed capsule

Ibicella lutea seed capsule

Sengalia greggii

Noun

devil's claw (plural devil's claws)

1. Anything considered ugly or potentially harmful resembling a claw in appearance or behavior:
   1. Particularly plants
      1. Harpagophytum spp., especially Harpagophytum procumbens, native to South Africa.
      2. Proboscidea spp. (mule grab, unicorn plant)
      3. Ibicella lutea (yellow unicorn plant)
      4. Pisonia spp. (catchbird trees)
      5. Senegalia greggii (catclaw acacia, formerly Acacia greggii)
2. (nautical) A metal hook for grabbing a ship's anchor chain.

Translations

nasty, resembling a claw

• Greek: αρπαγόφυτο (el) n (arpagófyto)
• Irish: crobh an diabhail m
• Japanese: デビルズクロー (debiruzukurō)

References

• devil's claw on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Harpagophytum on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• Proboscidea (Martyniaceae) on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• Ibicella lutea on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• Pisonia on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• Senegalia greggii on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• devil's claw on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons