The TEXAS MULBERRY (Morus microphylla Buckl.) is found in West Texas and south from the Colorado River. Its leaves are rarely longer than 1½ inches.
The WHITE MULBERRY (Morus alba L.) a native of China, has become naturalized in the United States.
OSAGE-ORANGE (Bois-d’arc)
Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Schneid.
Osage-orange, “bodark”, hedge apple, or mock orange is native to eastern and Central Texas; attaining its largest size in the valley of the Red River in the northeast part of the state. It commonly reaches a height of 20 to 40 feet and a diameter of 4 to 12 inches. The [BARK] is thin, gray, sometimes tinged with yellow; on old trees it is divided into strips or flakes. It contains tannin and has been used for tanning leather. The twigs are armed with stout, straight thorns ⅜ to 1 inch long.
OSAGE-ORANGE (Leaf and [fruit], one-fourth natural size; leaf and twig, nearly one-half natural size)
The LEAVES are [simple], [alternate], oval-pointed and lustrous green on the upper surface, 3 to 5 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide, and entire. The leaves turn bright yellow in the autumn.
The yellowish FLOWERS appear in May; two kinds on the same tree—the male flowers in a [linear] cluster and the female flowers a rounded ball. The [FRUIT] is [globular], from 2 to 5 inches in diameter, resembling a rough, green orange.
The WOOD is heavy, exceedingly hard, very strong, and very durable in contact with the soil. The [heartwood] is bright orange in color, turning brown upon exposure. It is largely used for posts. The Indians prized the wood for bows and war clubs. The tree is planted for windbreaks and hedges. The [bark] of the roots supply a yellow dye.