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Maclura pomifera Osage orange Deciduous tree (1 Page of 5) The Maclura pomifera plant species is found in Southern N. America - Arkansas to Texas. It is a member of the Moraceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Osage orange. Some home gardeners know the variety as M. aurantiaca. Toxylon pommifera. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Maclura pomifera Common Name: Osage orange Family: Moraceae Author: (Raf.)Schneider. Known Hazards: The milky sap can cause dermatitis in some people[200].
An extract and the juice of the fruit is toxic, though a 10% aqueous infusion and extract diluted 1:1 are not toxic[240]. Mature Height: 15 Mature Width: 12 Habitat: Woods, fields and thickets in rich bottom lands[73, 83].
General Uses: A yellow dye is obtained from the bark of the root and the wood[46, 57, 95, 149, 169, 257]. Green and orange can also be obtained from it[168].
The sap of the fruit is used as an insect repellent[95]. It is said to be effective against cockroaches[222].
The bark is a source of tannin[82, 149].
The plant is often grown as a hedge in N. America and Europe[1, 20, 50], it is very tolerant of severe pruning[200], makes an effective stock-proof barrier[200] and succeeds in maritime exposure[K]. A hedge in a very exposed position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall has grown well (1989), though it is very bare in winter[K]. This species is also used in shelterbelt plantings[200].
Wood - coarse-grained, exceedingly hard, heavy, flexible, very strong, very durable, silky, lustrous. It weighs 48lb per cubic foot. It is seldom used commercially, but is used locally for fence posts, bows etc and makes an excellent fuel[46, 82, 95, 171, 200, 227, 229].
For further Maclura pomifera gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

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