Martynia louisiana

Description

Martynia is a monotypic genus in the Martyniaceae consisting of a single species, Martynia annua, commonly known as the cat's claw, and is endemic to Mexico. It is a popular material for basket making among Native American tribes in the Southwest. The genus and species were first validly described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 publication Species Plantarum. It was first collected, however, by the Scottish naval surgeon William Houstoun near Veracruz, Mexico.