URTICACEAE 
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, pube- 
scent, 114-2 inches long. 
FLOWERS.—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 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 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. 
— 133 — 
