Martyniaceae is a
family of
flowering plants in the
Lamiales order that are restricted to the
New World. The family was included in
Pedaliaceae in the
Cronquist system (under order Scrophulariales) but is recognized as a separate family by the
Angiosperm Phylogeny Group on the basis of phylogenetic studies that show that the two families are not closely related. Both families are characterized by having mucilaginous hairs — which give the stems and leaves a slimy or clammy feel — and fruits with hooks or horns. Some members of the genus
Proboscidea are known as "unicorn plant" or "devil's claw" because of their horned seed capsules.