The Osage orange tree

  by Sylvette Chitry (level C1)

The fruit

 

The Osage orange (Maclura pomifera or  Maclura aurantiaca), Osage mulberry or Bois d'Arc, is a tree that originated in the United States, on the banks of the Missouri River, where the Osage tribe of Amerindians lived. Their extermination was desired in order to recover the oil on their reserve, but they left the name to this tree, which they used to make bows, thanks to its very hard, almost rot-proof yellow wood. The latex from its fruits and roots, which turns yellow in contact with air, was used to paint faces and dye clothes. The fruit is not edible because of its bitterness.

Historically, it was introduced to France at the beginning of the 19th century to replace mulberry (Morus) in cold regions to feed silkworms, as it can resist cold down to -15°C without any trouble. But the experiment failed.

Today, it is mainly used as an ornamental tree, particularly in cities, as it can withstand pollution and drought, and is fast-growing. As for the fruits, they are said to have insect-repellent properties in homes, against flies and cockroaches, but nothing has been proven. 

The Osage orange tree is now naturalized, i.e. able to reproduce in its new environment.