- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Urticales
- Family: Moraceae
- Genus: Maclura
- Species: M. pomifera
Maclura pomifera
| Osage-orange |
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| Scientific Classification |
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| Binomial Name |
Maclura pomifera |
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The Osage orange, also called the hedge apple, is a very unique type of tree. They have orange bark and fruit which looks like a green brain. They have many different names like monkey brain, hedge apple, mock orange, hedge ball, monkey orange, and brain fruit.[1] You can eat this fruit, but only its seeds, which are covered in a pulpy mess inside of the fruit. Squirrels enjoy this fruit and leave it every where when they get to the seeds inside.
The osage orange is a tree that can grow up to 60 ft but average around 25 ft.[2] The female version of the plant has spikes on the limbs and round fruits that look like green brains. The tree crown spread can reach up to 60 ft as well but averages around 20 ft.[3] They have rough bark, which is orange, and the fruit can be used as insect repellents for spiders if you leave it by a window where they come in. They are used for fence posts and were once used as fences because they have spikes on there limbs and the limbs are hard and dense.
There are two different versions of this plant the female version and the male version. Only the female plants have the fruit, which is the reproductive organ. The female plants also have the spikes on the limbs and as well as holding the fruit.
The osage orange is found in the Great Plains although they originally did not come from there.[4] The osage orange was used as fences before barbwire because it was strong and spiky. They were still used as good fence posts after barbwire was invented. They are found in Oklahoma and Texas as well as arkansas which is why they were used as fences/hedges to keep the cattle in.[5]They live in very dry climates and are very common and are seen every where.
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