Maclura pomifera at Roath Park Botanic Garden

Maclura pomifera 0

Maclura pomifera
February 2015

Maclura pomifera 1

Maclura pomifera
mid July 2015

Grid reference ST 18609 78992
Common name Osage orange
Alternative name Maclura aurantiaca
Origin Central USA
Deciduous Yes
Status Rare
Status GB Champion 2013
Marked on 1947 chart of Pinetum
Tree trail Post 13
Height 15M in February 2015
Girth 252cm in February 2015
Reference 040

This tree is to be found towards the south east end of the Botanic Garden, beside the Lake Road East railings. The species is dioecious (individual trees are either male or female) and this is a female tree. It produces fruits but, in the absence of a male tree, no seeds. By late September 2015 most of the fuit had dropped to the ground. The fruit on the ground was roughly spherical, typically 60mm diameter and weighing 92gm.

Maclura pomifera bark

Maclura pomifera bark
January 2015

Maclura pomifera leaf

Maclura pomifera leaf
mid June 2015

Maclura pomifera foliage

Maclura pomifera foliage
mid June 2015

Maclura pomifera fruit

Maclura pomifera fruit
mid June 2015

Maclura pomifera fruit2

Maclura pomifera fruit
mid August 2015

Maclura pomifera fruit3

Maclura pomifera fruit on the ground
late September 2015

General tree description

Maclura pomifera grows to a height of around 15 metres and has a rounded crown. It has grey-brown bark with deep red-brown or orange fissures. The leaves are ovate, 5 to 8 cm long and dark glossy green. Flowers appear in early summer and female trees produce orange-like fruits up to 13cm across, initially green but ripening to yellow. The fruits contain seeds if a male tree (pollinator) is present.