Sweet Unicorn Plant (Proboscidea fragrans)

Family: Martyniaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

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.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

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

Habitat & North American Range

Not known. (Zone 9)