Maclura pomiferaIndiana Native
Osage-orange

Maclura pomifera - Overall Tree in Summer
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
White (Not ornamentally important; spring)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Glossy green foliage in summer); Yellow (Often outstanding clear yellow fall foliage)
 Stem Notes:
stout, glabrous
 Fruit Notes:
Green (Large (4-6" dia.) compound fruits on pistillate (female) plants that somewhat resemble a brain in form; causes significant litter)
 Ultimate Height:
20-40 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
20-40 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Widely adapted to different soils; very low and high pH tolerant once established
 Range:
South-Central United States
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves are simple, alternate, ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 2-5" long and half as wide, entire, glabrous, glossy green, and the petiole produces a milky sap. Stems have stout spines, about 0.5" long, often tipped in red.
 Ecological Functions:
  Special Characteristics:
  • Drought Tolerant 275
  • Pollution Tolerant 217
  • Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 186
  • Wet Soil Tolerant 102
  • Wind Tolerant 25
  • Fall Color 206
  • Fast Growth Rate 225
  • Notable Bark 161
  • Notable Texture 277
  • Indiana Native 152
  • Naturalizing 102
  • Street Tree 132
  • Wind Break/Barrier 9

    • Additional Information

    Withstands wind and dry conditions well. Used by farmers as a hedgerow for livestock fencing because of its thorniness. Highly deer resistant. Fruits are said to be an insect and rodent repellent. Extremely decay resistant wood, containing 1% by weight 2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxystilbene (a fungitoxic compound). Large fruits create litter problem; select staminate trees to avoid fruit (unless you believe the fruits are of interest). Due to invasive root system, do not plant near sewer or drainage lines. Thorny branches. Dioecious.

    When Maclura pomifera has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

    Flowering

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    Fruiting

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    2 Maclura pomifera found

    Building Map...

    = Heritage plant = Memorial plant
    Number Accession ID Location
    1ORIG_2701*ABRWN
    2ORIG_2700*ABRWN

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