Devil's Claw

Identified this plant in Wildflowers of Texas by Geyata Ajilvsgi. Shearer Publishing, 19?. Spurs at tip of seedpods caught in animal fur and dispersed. The young and fleshy seed pods can be pickled and eaten. They reputedly have an unpleasant odor, but I did not detect such from the small plant on my place. Given my early training in botany, I am curious about the evolutionary function of the glandular hairs (some sequester minerals from the soil, others contain compound to repel predators, etc) for this species (perhaps a volatile and resinous compound that imparts the odor?) and its possible medicinal value. Both pods and seed were food sources for indigenous peoples, who also used used the pods for basket construction. The young pods can be added to soup to serve as a thickening agent.