Maclura pomiferaIndiana Native
Osage-Orange

Maclura pomifera - Overall Tree in Summer

Family:

Moraceae (Mulberry Family) 5

Genus:

Maclura (Osage Orange Orange, Osage Osage-Orange Hedge-Apple Hedge Apple Apple, Hedge Bois D'arc) 3

Plant Type:

Tree 583

Growth Forms:

Upright 578

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 521

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 846

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:

June 126

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Dry to medium 50

Soil Notes:

Widely adapted to different soils; very low and high pH tolerant once established

Range:

South-Central United States

Maintenance:

Low 282

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 289

Pollution Tolerant 217

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 188

Wet Soil Tolerant 110

Wind Break/Barrier 10

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.

Plant Photo Gallery

Overall Tree in Summer

Bark

Leaf

Buds

Foliage

Winter Habit

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

Flowering

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Fruiting

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2 Maclura pomifera found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	ORIG_2701*A	BRWN
2	ORIG_2700*A	BRWN

Other plants like this Maclura pomifera (Osage-Orange)

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