Maclura pomifera
More About Maclura pomifera
- Broadly rounded crown with thorny, spreading branches
- Leaves are ovate, glossy and dark green
- Dioecious: insignificant, greenish male and female flowers on separate trees
- Female flowers give way to large, grapefruit-sized, green fruit
- Bark, wood and roots are an orange colour
- Bloom Time: June
Interesting Notes:
While the inedible fruits somewhat resemble oranges in texture, they are not related to oranges. A member of the fig family, each fruit is actually a dense cluster of hundreds of small fruits.
A bright yellow dye can be extracted from the wood, which is also very rot-resistant.
Zone:
4Height:
10-15 mSpread:
10-15 mColour:
GreenOsage Orange Growing and Maintenance Tips
Maclura tolerates urban pollution, drought, moisture, heat and a variety of soil conditions, including a variable pH. Can be grown as low or high stemmed tree form. Maclura branches are very thorny and sharp, making it a good hedging plant or barrier.
Maclura pomifera Characteristics
Full Sun
Low Maintenance
Drought Tolerant
Heat Tolerant
Soil Moisture
Well-drainedAverage to Dry Soils
Growth Rate
MediumAttributes
FruitDeciduous
Flowering Time
SpringHabit
RoundedSpreading
Foliage Color
GreenLandscape uses
SpecimenScreening (privacy)
Suitable Substitutions for Maclura pomifera
Robinia pseudoacacia
Black Locust
Maclura pomifera 'White Shield'
Osage Orange
Liriodendron tulipifera
Tulip Tree
