Osage Orange
Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Schneider [Toxylon pomiferum Raf.] [Maclura aurantiaca Nutt.]
HABIT.—A tree 20-30 feet high, with a short trunk 1-2 feet in diameter; divides into a few large limbs with curving branches, forming a symmetrical, rounded crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-5 inches long, 2-3 inches broad; ovate to oblong-lanceolate; entire; thick and firm; dark green and shining above, paler beneath; petioles slender, pubescent, 1-1/2-2 inches long.
FLOWERS.—June, after the leaves; dioecious; the staminate slender-pedicelled, borne in a dense raceme at the end of long, slender, drooping peduncles; the pistillate in dense, globose heads at the end of short, stout peduncles; calyx 4-lobed, hairy; corolla 0; stamens 4; style covered with white, stigmatic hairs.
FRUIT.—Autumn; pale green, orange-like, 4-5 inches in diameter, composed of numerous small drupes, crowded and grown together.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds depressed-globular, partly hidden in the bark, pale brown.
BARK.—Twigs at first bright green, pubescent, becoming orange-brown and armed with stout, straight, axillary spines; dark orange-brown on the trunk and deeply furrowed.
WOOD.—Heavy, very hard and strong, flexible, coarse-grained, very durable, bright orange, with thin, lemon colored sapwood.
NOTES.—A native of the South, but hardy throughout Michigan. A desirable ornamental tree. Extensively planted for hedges.