URTICACEAE 



Osage Orange 



Madura pomifera, (Raf.) Schneider [Toxylon pomiferum, Raf.} 

 [Madura 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, pube- 

 scent, 1^2-2 inches long. 



FlyOWERS. June, after the leaves ; dioecious ; the stam- 

 inate 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 o; 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 de- 

 pressed-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. 



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