Intriguing little “Birds of Paradise” can easily be made from the dried seed pods of Proboscidea jussieui, the unicorn plant, or devil’s claw.
Carefully remove the pod from the main stock, making sure to take at least 1/2″ inch of the stock from above and below the joint to form the bird’s head.
Remove the outer covering from the seed pod. The legs are sanded matchsticks stuck into holes made with a sharp punch.
Proboscidea: Easy To Grow
The head, wings, body, and legs are finished off with a coat of quick-drying enamel – yellow beak, green body, and red touches.
Proboscidea is an easy plant to grow. The seeds are planted in May when the ground is warm, about an inch deep.
When the plants have four leaves, they are transplanted near a fence or other structure on which they can be tied. The lavender blooms are quite beautiful, appearing in pairs.
44659 by Harry M. Grove