Osage orange (Maclura pomifera, Ill. Handb. Laubholzk. 1: 806 (1906))

Family: Moraceae

Author: (Raf.) C.K.Schneid.

Bibliography: Ill. Handb. Laubholzk. 1: 806 (1906)

Year: 1906

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Maclura

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Oklahoma to Texas and Arkansas

Description

Osage orange, scientifically known as Maclura pomifera, is a remarkable deciduous tree belonging to the family Moraceae. First described in a detailed botanical text in 1906, Osage orange has continued to fascinate botanists and horticulturists alike.

Native to the southeastern United States, particularly from Oklahoma stretching down to Texas and Arkansas, Osage orange thrives in various landscapes. Its hardiness and adaptability have allowed it not only to survive but to also flourish in a range of soil conditions, from sandy to clayey ones.

This distinctive tree is easily recognizable by its unusual fruit, which is often colloquially referred to as “hedge apple.” These large, green, spherical fruits have a rough and bumpy texture, and while they are not typically consumed by humans, they provide a significant source of food for wildlife.

Historically, the wood of the Osage orange has been highly valued. Indigenous peoples, such as the Osage Nation, utilized the wood for making strong bows, leading to one of the tree’s other common names, bois d’arc, which is French for “bow wood.” Its dense and rot-resistant nature makes it ideal for fence posts and other outdoor structures.

Ecologically, Maclura pomifera serves as an excellent choice for windbreaks and erosion control. When planted in rows, they form dense, natural hedges that can effectively reduce soil erosion and provide shelterbelt protection for other plants.

In contemporary landscaping, Osage orange is sometimes used for ornamental purposes due to its distinctive fruit and glossy, dark green leaves that turn vibrant shades of yellow in the fall. The tree’s unique characteristics and historical significance make it an interesting and valuable addition to both natural and cultivated landscapes.

Common Names

Deu: apfelfrüchtiger osagedorn, osagedorn
Fra: bois-d’arc, oranger des osages, bois d’arc, maclure épineux, maclure épineuse
Ita: maclura pomifera
Spa: naranjero de los osages, machura, madera de arco, naranjo de los osages
Eng: osage orange, bow-wood, hedge-apple, osage-orange, bodark, bowwood
Swe: citrusmullbär
Por: maclura
Hun: narancseperfa
En: Osage orange, Bow-wood, Hedge-apple, Osage-orange, Bodark, Bowwood, Bow Wood, Hedge Apple
Fr: Bois-d’arc, Oranger des Osages, Bois d’arc, Maclure épineux, Maclure épineuse
De: Apfelfrüchtiger Osagedorn, Osagedorn
Hu: Narancseperfa
It: Maclura pomifera, Gelso dei tintori, Maclura, Moro degli Osagi
Pt: Maclura
Es: Naranjero de los Osages, Machura, Madera de arco, Naranjo de los osages, Maclura tinctorial, Naranjo de Luisiana, Naranjo de Osage
Sv: Citrusmullbär

Synonyms

• Maclura pomifera f. inermis ((André) Schelle)
• Maclura aurantiaca var. inermis (André)
• Ioxylon pomiferum (Raf.)
• Maclura aurantiaca (Nutt.)
• Toxylon pomiferum ((Raf.) Sarg.)
• Myroxylon abruptifolium (Stokes)
• Toxylon maclura (Raf.)
• Toxylon aurantiacum ((Nutt.) Raf.)
• Maclura pomifera var. inermis ((André) C.K.Schneid.)

Distribution

• Arkansas (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Texas (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Jan 15, 2022 by louison jaguelin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Zehra Adilovic (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by pat bal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2016 by jerc tbm (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 11, 2019 by Russelia R (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by b bernoss (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Cabaca Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Lutz Lissy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by Danilo Brugali (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by isamzpat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2020 by Delgado Caballero Fran (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Denis NESPOULOUS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by b bernoss (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Annick LARBOUILLAT (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 28, 2020 by Hoannessian frederic (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by Olivier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Lutz Lissy (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 20, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 4, 2022 by Ale Mac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2022 by malot w (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 16, 2021 by R Dragowski (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2020 by valérie mc (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2019 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2022 by nature lovers 017 (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2984580)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:148738-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C.K.Schneid.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 4.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 5