Its true native range is unclear, but probably includes parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico in North America.

[1] It occurs in other areas, including other regions in North America,[1] Europe, Australia, and South Africa, as an introduced species.

[4] Names more specific to the species include common devil's claw, ram's horn,[5] aphid trap,[4] Louisiana unicorn-plant,[1] purple-flowered devil's-claw,[6] goat's head, elephant tusks,[2] and martinoe (or martina).

The herbage is coated in glandular hairs carrying tiny oil droplets, making the plant feel oily to the touch and giving it a strong scent.

[11] The Tohono O'odham domesticated the species and used the dark dry fruit for the black-colored patterning in basketry designs.

[8] The dry, hooked fruits attach to animals,[10] and it has been suggested that the plant was introduced to South Africa by this means.

[11] The plant can be weedy, easily taking hold in disturbed habitat types and displaying a "preference for waste places".