Chiba University Matsudo/Kashiwa Campus Plant Database

ID: 2625

Genus ja:

Genus en: Elephant’s tusk, Proboscis flower, Unicorn plant

# spp.: 7 (from genus_families table) | 0 (from names table)

Accepted: Accepted

Family: Martyniaceae

Family ja: ツノゴマ

Infra familial classification:

Citation:

Data source	Kind of information	Note
Kew Gardens (2017) Plants of the world online (POWO). Accessed on 18 Jan 2026	Scientific name & others		Show this Data source

Distribution en: U.S.A. to Guatemala, Peru

Description en: Genus of about 9 species of erect to spreading, robust, frequently sticky-hairy annuals and perennials found in open plains in tropical North, Central, and South America. They are grown for the tropical effect of their foliage and fruits; the fruits can be dried and used for winter arrangements. The opposite, occasionally alternate, long-stemmed, fairly coarse leaves are rounded to ovate-lance-shaped, entire to palmately or pinnately lobed, and strongly veined. The flowers are borne in racemes, and are funnel- to bell-shaped, 5-lobed, reddish purple, lavender-pink, creamy white, or orange-yellow, with enclosing calyces split to the bases on one side; they are followed by unusually shaped fruits, which each have a pair of strongly upcurved, slender, horn-like beaks or projections at one end, and a fringed crest along the centre of the capsule body. The cultivated species are annuals, and are suitable for a mixed border; they may also be grown as decorative container plants in a cool or temperate greenhouse or conservatory.

Hardiness en: Half hardy.

Cultivation en:

Propagation en: Sow seed at 21-24°C (70-75°F) in spring.

Pests en: Trouble free.

Description ja:

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Comment ja:

Type species:

Phylogenetic definition:

Update information: Created: 2010-06-04 18:58; Updated: 2026-01-18 10:34 by hkokubun@mac.com