Ibicella lutea (pronounced /aɪbɪsɛlə luːtɛə/ or /luːtiːə/, also known as Martynia lutea, Proboscidea lutea, or 'Devil's claw') grows under dry to desert conditions. I. lutea is native to South America, but has become established as a non-native species in various semi-arid regions around the world, including the central valley of California. It produces short, glandular hairs over most of its aerial surfaces. It lacks other carnivorous adaptations such as the production of digestive enzymes, but it does capture and kill many insects, though the energetic cost of producing the hairs and slime is likely much more than any beneficial nutrients obtained from the dead insects. Because it doesn't produce the digestive enzyme, I. lutea cannot be considered a true carnivorous plant, but it can be considered protocarnivorous. It is commonly called 'Devil's Claw' because of its claw-like seed pods.
Ibicella lutea was introduced in China in the early 1960s, where it has flourished in desert regions.citation needed The state party does not consider the plant to be a threat to indigenous wildlife.
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