Osage-orange
ExplorePlants
Osage-orange
Maclura pomifera
The Osage-orange tree is known for its bright green, bumpy fruit that looks like a big orange! It has strong wood and beautiful leaves that turn yellow in the fall.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Osage-orange tree has glossy, oval leaves and sharp thorns along its branches. Its bark is deeply furrowed and turns an orange-brown with age. Most distinctively, it produces large, bumpy, citrus-green fruits that resemble brains.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyMoraceaeGenusMaclura
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its wood is one of the densest in North America, even denser than oak!
People once planted these thorny trees as 'living fences' to keep livestock in.
The bright orange heartwood of this tree glows under a blacklight!
You can extract a vibrant yellow dye from the tree's bark and roots!
Special abilities
Ability
Tough Protector
Osage-orange has sharp thorns that help it defend its branches from grazing animals.
Ability
Super Strong Wood
Osage-orange produces incredibly dense and durable wood that resists decay, making it last a long time.
Ability
Ancient Seed Disperser
Its huge, hard fruits evolved to be spread by large, now-extinct megafauna like mammoths.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 600-1800 cm
- Spread
- 600-1200 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.3-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
BodarkHorse Apple
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't eat the fruit, as it's not safe for people.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Osage-orange?
600-1800 cm
How wide does Osage-orange spread?
600-1200 cm
How big are the flowers on Osage-orange?
0.3-0.5 cm
When does Osage-orange bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is Osage-orange edible?
No
Is Osage-orange toxic?
Mild
What is Osage-orange's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Osage-orange pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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