M. aurantìaca.
Maclùra aurantìaca, Nutt. (Osage Orange. Bow-wood.) Leaves rather thick, ovate to ovate-oblong, almost entire, smooth and shining above, strong-veined and paler beneath, 4 in. long by 2 in. wide; spines simple, about 1 in. long. Fruit as large as an orange, golden-yellow when ripe. A medium-sized tree, 20 to 50 ft. high; native west of the Mississippi. Extensively cultivated for hedges, and also for ornament, throughout.
Genus 78. MÒRUS.
Trees with milky juice and alternate, deciduous, exstipulate, broad, heart-shaped, usually rough leaves. Flowers inconspicuous; in spring. Fruit blackberry-like in shape and size; in summer.
| * Leaves rough; fruit dark-colored | 1. |
| * Leaves smooth and shining; fruit white to black | 2. |
M. rùbra.
1. Mòrus rùbra, L. (Red Mulberry.) Leaves broad, heart-shaped, 4 to 6 in. long, serrate, rough above and downy beneath, pointed; on the young shoots irregularly lobed. Fruit dark red, almost purple when ripe, cylindrical; not found on all the trees, as the flowers are somewhat diœcious; ripe in July. Wood yellow, heavy and durable. Usually a small tree, 15 to 60 ft. high; wild throughout, also cultivated.