shopping Devil's claw - two varieties
Devil's claw root, c/s, wild crafted image
[ 618 ]Harpagophytum procumbens

Devil'S Claw Root Cut & Sifted, Wild Crafted

1/4 Pound:  $7.48$6.36 Pound:  $16.63$14.14 
Devil's claw root, powder, wild crafted image
[ 457 ]Harpagophytum procumbens

Devil'S Claw Root Powder, Wild Crafted

1/4 Pound:  $7.62 Pound:  $16.94 
We offer discounted pricing on orders over 100 pounds. Contact Us

Wholesale Devil's claw

Harpagophytum procumbens
plant overview
sprawling devil's claw

Devil’s claw, also known as grapple plant, is a perennial scrub plant in the sesame family that is native to the Kalahari Desert region of southwest Africa. The herb is appropriately named since it bears fruit that emerge as dual claws or horns. In fact, its botanical genus name (Harpagophytum) translates to “hook plant” in Greek. Devil’s claw is harvested for its root and secondary tubers, which contain an iridoid glycoside called harpagoside.

Clicking "learn more" next to each variety will take you to individual product pages for details.

01.
Devils claw: A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information about devils claw

description
Harpagophytum procumbens, a member of the Pedaliaceae or Sesame family, and is a perennial herb with a succulent taproot. The annual, creeping stems can be up to 2 m long. They grow from a primary (or “mother” tuber) whose taproot can be up to 2 m deep. Secondary tubers (called “babies”) develop on fleshy roots growing from the primary tuber. They can be up to 25 cm long and 6 cm thick. The secondary tubers contain stachyose, a photosynthetic storage product, thought to be an adaptation to drought conditions. The leaves are simple and opposite, up to 6.5 cm long and 4 cm wide. They are deeply or shallowly lobed. The flowers are tubular, 5-6 cm long, and are normally light purple or pink (sometimes white), but yellow inside the tube. The fruits are large, up to 15 cm in diameter, and have four rows of curved arms with recurved spines. The seeds are dark brown or black. Devil's claw flowers in the summer (November to April) and fruits from January.

common names & nomenclature
The common name Devil’s Claw comes from the appearance of its hooked fruit. The hooks on the fruits can get entangled in animals’ fur and hooves, which aids dispersal of the seeds.

Harpagophytum is a Greek translation of the common name “grapple plant”. The specific epithet procumbens means prostrate, referring to the creeping stems of the plant.

Also known as:
grapple plant, wood spider, wool spider, harpago, duivelsklou, bobbejaandubbeltjie, kloudoring, veldspinnakop, teufelskralle, trampelklette, sengaparile, kanako, lekgagamare, ghamaghoe

Devils Claw, the sprawling scrub plant

02.
Devils claw: Where in the World

habitat and range for devils claw

Native to South Africa, Harpagophytum procumbens is mainly found in the eastern and south eastern parts of Namibia, Southern Botswana and the Kalahari region of the Northern Cape, South Africa.

03.
Devils claw: Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting devils claw

climate
Grows mostly in open, trampled and over-grazed lands where grass and herb cover is low, but can also be found in dry savanna or open woodland in full sun.

soil
Grows typically in sandy, well-draining soils.

growing
Sow seed in a trench during mid- to late summer. Then cover the seed with sand and water daily. Take the small tubers out of the trenches just before winter and store them. Then plant them out in October and November (early summer), 0.1 m deep and 0.5 m apart. Little fertilizer and water are needed. In fact, over watering may lead to fungus problems. Flowers should appear in about the second summer after planting out.

harvesting
Wait 4 years for the first harvest when each plant should yield about 2 kg of fresh or ± 0.3 kg dry tuber.

preserving
Store dried devils claw root, either cut pieces or powder, in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

for educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

please be advised:  Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.

All reviews solely reflect the views and opinions expressed by the reviewer and not that of Monterey Bay Herb Co. We do not verify or endorse any claims made by any reviewer. None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.