Osage oranges, typically referred to by one other frequent identify, are giant, spherical, greenish-yellow fruit produced by the Osage orange tree ( Maclura pomifera). These fruits should not carefully associated to citrus fruits, regardless of their look, and are technically a number of fruits, much like pineapples. The time period in query refers back to the potential makes use of and advantages related to these fruits.
Traditionally, the first worth of the Osage orange tree was not the fruit itself, however the tree’s sturdiness and adaptability. This made it splendid for planting as hedgerows to comprise livestock earlier than the widespread use of barbed wire. These dense, thorny hedges successfully managed animal motion. Whereas the fruit just isn’t usually consumed by people, some consider that it possesses insect-repelling properties, resulting in its placement in houses and different constructions. Additional analysis into the efficacy of those conventional makes use of continues.