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OSAGE ORANGE. 



Madura pomifera, (Raf.) Schneider. 



GEinrS DESCRIPTIOII— The species described on this page Is the sole representatlTe of 



this genas. 



FOBM — A fimall or mediumslzed tree nsBaHy attaining a height of 20-40 ft. with a diameter 

 of 12 Inches but reaches a height of 50-60 ft. with a diameter of 2-3 feet. Trunk nsually 

 short, stent, often covered with deoKe growth of spronts. Crown ronnd-topped, rather 

 open, often Irregular. Branches In Interior of crown often coTered with stiff, spiny, and 

 Interlarriag branchlets. 



BA&K — On older tmnka rough, dark gray, about 1-1 Inch thick, longitudinally and sometimes 

 diagonally furrowed, with prominent ridges which scale off Into thin close-dtting scales. On 

 branch^s It is thinner, pale brown tinged with yellow. Branches are Often armed with straight 

 axillary spines and contain yellow pith. 



TWIGS — Alternate, rather stout, at first greenish and slightly pubescent, later yellowish- 

 brown, contain yellow pith, marked by pale yellow lentlcels. Younger branches are often armed 

 with stoat, straight, axillary spines and stout, spur-like, lateral branchlets. 



BUDS — Alternate; terminal bud absent; equal sized, broad, circular, with 5-7 small chestnut- 

 brown scales. 



LEAVES— Alternate, simple, about 4 Inches long and 2J Inches wide, orate in outline, 

 wedge-shaped at base, acute at apex, entire on margin, dark green above, pale green below. 



LEAE-SCAE3— Alternate: located on twig enlargement at nodes; small to medium-sized, 

 broadly triangular to elliptical, contain usually 1 or 3 bundle-scars, sometimes more. 



FLOWEBS — Appear about Jane when leaves are almost fully developed. Stamlnate flowers 

 arranged lu racemes on long slender drooping stalks; pistillate in dense heads with short 

 stalks. Ovarj is terminated by a long, slender, hairy style. 



FBtriT — Pale green, orange-like in appearance. 4-5 inches In diameter, composed of many small 

 drupes which are closely grown together. When punctured exudes a milky Juice which tarns 

 black npot exposure. 



WOOD — Ring-porous: rays rather Inconspicuous; golden-yellow in color, streaked vertically 



with red snipes; heavy, very hard and strong, very durable. Weighs 48.21 lbs. per cubic 



foot. Used for fence post*, wagon felloes and rims, bridge piling. Insulator pins, police 

 clubs, rustic chairs, and tobacco pipes. 



DISTIHG U IKRIKG CHABACTEKISTICS — The Osage Orange, also known as Eowwood, Osage 

 Apple- tree. Yellow-wood, and Hedge- tree, can be distinguished by its large orange- like green 

 fruit. The twigs are armed with stout straight axillary spines, contain a milky Juice and 

 thick orange-colored pith and are covered with a light brown bark sometimes tinged with orange. 

 The leaves are alternate, simple, and entire. Wood is very hard and orange to brown in color 

 with light yellow sapwood. 



RANGE — Oklahoma south to Dallas. Texas. Also reported from Arkansas. To date it has been 

 planted In possibly every State In the Union. 



DISTRXBimOH IK PEKHSTLVASTIA — Introduced in practically every part of the State as a 

 hedge or ornamental tree. 



HABITAT — It Is less exacting in soil than moat of our trees, but when It has the privilege 

 It chooses the best- In its natural range it thrives best on the black fertile flats, and rarely 

 occurs on sandy solL Occasionally found in swamps. Originally found in small pure stands. 



nCPOSTAIfCE OF THE SPECIES — The Osage Orange is not native to PennsylTanla but 

 has been planted extensively for hedge and ornamental purposes. No wood Is more valuable 

 for fence poets. We have other trees which are more attractive as a hedge and the thorns 

 which the tree bears are also objectionable when it is used as a hedge. It Is dlfftcult to 

 eliminate it from an area where It has established Itself. 



