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Osage orange (Maclura pomifera): History and economic uses

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Abstract

Osage orange, a tree native to Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, was planted widely in the United States as a living fence from 1850–1875. It has naturalized over much of its planted range and is an early successional species. Economically the tree has had a wide number of uses including for bows, yellow dye, and building materials. It is used for fence posts and is a potential source for a proteolytic enzyme. Its taxonomy, anatomy, morphology, chemical constitutents, medicinal uses, and toxicity are discussed in this paper and related to its economic importance.

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  1. Jeffrey L. Smith

    Present address: Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, 73069, Norman, OK

  2. Janice V. Perino

    Present address: Environmental Analysis Department, Radian Corporation, Box 9948, 78766, Austin, TX

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  1. Department of Botany, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

    Jeffrey L. Smith & Janice V. Perino

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Smith, J.L., Perino, J.V. Osage orange (Maclura pomifera): History and economic uses. Econ Bot 35, 24–41 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02859211

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