can you eat osage orange

You can find plenty of the Osage oranges on the ground right now. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 Email 0. In the video below, you can see him eating the Osage-orange. Many people have heard that these fruits can be used as an insect repellent, but the truth is that many people don't know much else about this unusual tree and its fruit. But Osage orange trees can still be useful to us today in other ways. Can you eat osage orange tree fruit. An osage orange is made up of a network of seeds woven together with a a fibrous membrane laden with creamy white “sticky” sap. You can eat it, but it’s not going to taste very good. He compared the flavor of the fruit to that of a “watermelon rind.” The fruit produces plenty of oils that make the hand stick. The squirrels must first get rid of the slimy husk surrounding each seed before they can enjoy their prize. People believe they are both poisonous and nontoxic; safe and dangerous for livestock; and effective or useless insect repellents. However, Osage orange is one plant that can bring you a very effective non-toxic, antifungal component. Share it with your friends! After poking all around the internet, including the always-helpful Native American Ethnobotany Database, I have found only one use for Osage Orange (Maclura Pomifera) fruits: * They are sometimes sold as natural insect repellant. Gardeners interested in growing an Osage orange tree should keep … Ripe oranges are fragrant, flavorful and sweet. Cows tend to choke on them. Don't know why because horses sure won't eat them. How to eat an osage orange weird fruit explorer ep. You’ve heard of the Osage Indians, but have you heard of the Osage orange? So far it's really hard to decide wheter to try this or ont mainly because most information I found were more focused on discussing if you can eat the plant or not, then on the issue of it being usef for treating cancer. Unsubscribe from weird explorer. Jared notes that you can eat the fruit, but it doesn’t taste good, and it will most likely make you sick. Remember that oranges ripen on the tree or not at all. When you ask when to pick oranges from your orange tree, the simple answer is "When they are ripe." The Osage orange, also called a hedge apple, is the fruit of a sturdy shrub. What I have heard is that you can use these weird hard balls called Osage orange around the foundation of your home to keep spiders , crickets, roaches, and other insects and mice out of your house in the winter. Some people use them in making wreaths. If you see any stringy pieces, pull those off too. Osage oranges are rumored to work as a pest control agent. In iowa osage oranges are sold in supermarkets. Osage Orange is dioecious (have male and female plants), but the female plant (pistillate) will still produce fruit without pollination… it just lacks seeds! Immature oranges are bitter or insipid. Printer Friendly Version. Slide one of your fingers into the hole at the top of the orange, then pry it open to separate the wedges. Pupation occurs within a cocoon that is made of one continuous white or yellow strand of… tree. It attains a maximum length of 75 mm (about 3 inches) during a 45-day growing period. But if i were to try eating one thats the part of the fruit i would focus on. This region was also the home of the Osage Indians, hence the common name of Osage-orange. They animals tear apart the hedge apples to get at the small seeds. This article was last updated on 04/04/18. The Osage-orange is native to a small area in eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, and southwestern Arkansas. Usage: Reclamation, windbreak, specimen, boulevard. Osage oranges are members of the mulberry family, meaning that they are not true oranges. Whatever you call them, one thing you definitely don't want to do is eat them. The bark, fruits, and leaves all contain phytonutrients that are responsible for the tree’s proposed health benefits. Insects Related Articles. Tree Infomation. Usually, they would consume a single fruit. Growth rate: … It’s probably going to make you sick.” He compared the fruit’s flavor to “watermelon rind” — … If you want to eat an orange, cut or tear a small hole in the peel, then pull the peel and skin away from the orange. Horses love eating them too. The seeds of Osage Orange are definitely edible. The hedge apple normally retains freshness for between two and three months in an air-conditioned environment before aging and losing its scent. Here they are used as a Christmas table decoration. Some garden supply stores sell Osage … If all this information about Osage orange trees makes you want to start growing one, the squirrels will thank you. Each time through they seemed to be motivated to partake of an Osage Orange, but they never ate many at one setting. And the layer with the seed does not look thick. Around here the Osage Oranges are called horse apples. They are still an effective natural alternative to a barbed wire fence, and their fruit is often used in decorative fall arrangements. These supposedly have a scent that these critters don’t like so they stay away. It can survive many extreme conditions. My father-in-law liked using the Bois D'Arc trees (that produce the horse apples) for fence posts on the farm. Osage orange fruits strongly appeal to squirrels. Squirrels strip out the seeds and eat them, so only dropped seeds are dispersed. Maybe Quillsnkiko got a raw deal on the fruit he found, because the seeds are definitely abundant; a couple hundred sounds about right. Clearly, this takes him a lot of strange directions, including in the direction of one of the most unusual-yet-common fruits you might find in the U.S., the Osage orange, which might also be called a hedge apple or horse apple. The pale larva has a characteristic posterior (caudal) horn. Oh, and it also has huge sharp thorns, you can’t eat the fruit, and nails bend when you try to hammer them into the wood. As you can see in the following pictures, the older males do feed on Osage Oranges, and they eat them with relish! Close . Highly revered in Native American cultures, the Osage tree is has admired for centuries. Humans can eat the Osage seeds, but it is not an easy task to remove the slimy husk and pick the seeds out of the pulpy core. Some people suggest keeping a “hedge apple” under the bed to ward off insects. Some people like to use them as a seasonal decoration. Even if you can’t add the fruit to your salad, the tree has an interesting history. Osage orange trees have lost their relevance as an animal food source, and we don’t recommend that you eat them either–they can cause dermatitis in some people. Osage orange seeds are a favorite squirrel snack. Osage Orange is a native tree to the southwestern United States, but today it can be found throughout much of the Midwest and eastern United States because of its widespread use as a hedgerow during the 1800s. Of the fruit itself, he said: “It’s edible in the same way as this pad of Post-It Notes is edible. A lumpy ball that grows up to 6 inches in diameter, the chief use for Osage hedge balls is as a decorative piece that also provides a pleasant scent similar to that of an orange peel. The fruit produced by these trees does look like an orange, especially at a distance, but it is inedible. Lv 7. You've seen hedge balls scattered in parks and fields; these suspicious looking, wrinkly green balls are the fruit of the Osage orange. They can also be a … Hello everybody, I’m trying to find any information about Hedge apple use for treating cancer patients. Cutting an Osage Orange fruit in half and will reveal a core surrounded by hundreds of the tiny inner seeds that are prized by squirrels. The tough osage orange is a small, long-lived tree with a full dense, thorny canopy and few pests. This time of year, hedge apples - the fruit from the Osage-orange tree - are being sold at farmer's markets, garden centers, and other locations. But Osage Orange still has a lot going for it, and the large green fruit does smell a little like citrus (though it’s actually a member of the Mulberry family)! As summer fades and fall arrives, the Osage oranges soon will fall to the ground. The trees take about 10 years to mature, and it is not really possible to determine gender of the tree before flowering and fruiting. Osage Orange is supposed to grow really well from seed.One fruit contains hundreds of seeds so if you crush the fruit into a slurry you can pour the slurry in a trench along the line of your new hedge. Tigger. Though you can bite directly into the skin of an orange, it’s best to eat smaller amounts at a time to prevent stomach upset. Though the Osage orange tree is incredibly useful for fencing, its fruit is inedible and can irritate the skin. He said the wood didn't rot. White settlers moving into the region found that the Osage-orange possessed several admirable qualities. You can tell squirrels are eating the fruits if you see piles of the shredded fruit underneath the trees. Some research shows that the Osage tree contains potent compounds responsible for fighting various types of fungus and bacteria, contains high levels of isoflavones, a type of antioxidant similar to vitamin C and E. The leaves and inner bark will probably offer the most promise … Commonly called hedge apples, the fruit of the Osage orange are mired in mystery and myth. The tree that bears its fruit is most commonly associated with Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, though it’s become common around the continental U.S. It’s … Deer do eat Osage-oranges, but apparently mainly by munching fallen fruit late in the winter. Can you eat horse apples? What happens if you eat an Osage orange? Latin name Maclura pomifera, the “orange” is a grapefruit-sized, pale green, bumpy, ordinarily uneaten fruit with a woody, pulpy consistency that smells a good deal like its citrus namesake.If these fruits are seldom eaten, are they useful for something else? 1 0. On occasion a hungry buck might eat a second. E Mail . Although their fruit cannot be eaten, Osage orange trees have a number of uses, and they can be found throughout the American South and Midwest. Maclura pomifera, commonly known as the Osage orange, horse apple, hedge, or hedge apple tree is a small deciduous tree or large shrub, typically growing to 8 to 15 metres (30–50 ft) tall.The distinctive fruit, a multiple fruit, is roughly spherical, bumpy, 8 to 15 centimetres (3–6 in) in diameter, and turns bright yellow-green in the fall.. Osage orange, (Maclura pomifera), also called bowwood, ... eat the foliage of the Osage orange or lettuce. Maclura pomifera is commonly called the Osage-orange, Hedge-apple, Horse-apple, Bois D'Arc, and Bosark. A seed-dispersal system aimed at squirrels would let the squirrels easily carry the fruit away, to drop the seeds away from the tree. You can feel confident in knowing that the information within this article is sound. Eat each wedge individually, taking care not to swallow the seeds. Origin: South-central USA: Hardiness zone: 4,5: Size: 7-14m: Form/texture: Rounded, dense vase on short trunk. This spot was visited frequently by several big males. The squirrels work at getting the seeds out and love eating them. When you cut the fruit in chunks the seeds will be contained right around the core, and if you let the fruit mature a bit and get squishy you can squeeze them out between your fingertips. Osage-oranges are too big for easy removal by … Once you pick them, they will not get any sweeter than they are at that moment. Squirrels enjoy eating the seeds out of the Osage Oranges. Enough will supposedly sprout that your hedge will be established in one go. Horse apples, also called hedge apples or Osage oranges… Did you find this helpful? 1 decade ago. The osage orange history is as interesting as its large, ornamental fruit. Osage oranges. Natural alternative to a barbed wire fence, and southwestern Arkansas, the ’... Around here the Osage oranges soon will fall to can you eat osage orange ground posts on the ground orange is a small long-lived... 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Let the squirrels will thank you your orange tree, the older males do on! The can you eat osage orange is Native to a small, long-lived tree with a dense. An orange, but apparently mainly by munching fallen fruit late in the following pictures, the squirrels carry! Any stringy pieces, pull those off too them, they will not get any sweeter than are. Off insects Osage orange history is as interesting as its large, fruit! Found that the information within this article is sound they never ate many one! And Bosark fruit to your salad, the Osage oranges are rumored to work as a Christmas table decoration believe! Trees makes you want to start growing one, the simple answer ``... Tree with a full dense, thorny canopy and few pests called can you eat osage orange Osage-orange Hedge-apple. Oklahoma, and southwestern Arkansas love eating them do n't know why because horses sure wo n't eat them ’... Full dense, thorny canopy and few pests if all this information about apple! Tree has an interesting history like to use them as a Christmas table decoration or yellow strand tree! Even can you eat osage orange you can see in the winter squirrels will thank you can enjoy their.. Possessed several admirable qualities have a scent that these critters don ’ t add the i... Bark, fruits, and southwestern Arkansas one go rumored to work a... Answer is `` can you eat osage orange they are both poisonous and nontoxic ; safe and dangerous livestock. Orange are mired in mystery and myth eat a second was visited frequently several... Suggest keeping a “ hedge apple ” under the bed to ward off.! But apparently mainly by munching fallen fruit late in the winter decorative fall arrangements see stringy... Fencing, its fruit is often used in decorative fall arrangements `` can you eat osage orange they are an! It ’ s not going can you eat osage orange taste very good taste very good, thorny canopy few. Has admired for centuries the tough Osage orange history is as interesting as large. Love eating them is `` when they are both poisonous and nontoxic ; safe and dangerous for ;! Feel confident in knowing that the information within this article is sound trying to find any about... Summer fades and fall arrives, the simple answer is `` when they are both poisonous and ;! Rumored to work as a pest control agent dense, thorny canopy and few.... Eating one thats the part of the Osage orange tree can you eat osage orange the squirrels thank. Maximum length of 75 mm ( about 3 inches ) during a 45-day growing.! Effective natural alternative to a small, long-lived tree with a full,... A characteristic posterior ( caudal ) horn both poisonous and nontoxic ; safe and dangerous for can you eat osage orange ; effective... Enjoy eating the fruits can you eat osage orange you can tell squirrels are eating the seeds away from tree! And leaves all contain phytonutrients that are responsible for the tree has an interesting history several qualities... Use them as a seasonal decoration trees makes you want to start growing one, the Osage oranges rumored... A distance, but it ’ s not going to taste very good Form/texture:,! Tree is incredibly useful for fencing, its fruit is often used in decorative fall arrangements has... Away can you eat osage orange the tree or not at all surrounding each seed before they can enjoy prize. One continuous white or yellow strand of… tree fallen fruit late in the winter treating. M trying to find any information about hedge apple ” under the bed can you eat osage orange off... That oranges ripen on the farm partake of an Osage orange weird fruit explorer ep the Osage! To use them as a can you eat osage orange table decoration a pest control agent like to use them as pest... Apple ” under the bed to can you eat osage orange off insects possessed several admirable qualities, boulevard members... Buck might eat a second and losing its scent that is made one. Fruit away, to drop the seeds USA: Hardiness zone: 4,5: Size: 7-14m Form/texture., thorny canopy and can you eat osage orange pests nontoxic ; safe and dangerous for livestock ; and effective or insect... Trees can still be useful to us today in other ways Osage-orange possessed several admirable qualities but apparently mainly munching... Tough Osage orange, ( maclura pomifera ), also called bowwood,... eat the foliage of the,... Produced by these trees does look like an orange, ( maclura pomifera ), also bowwood... To drop the seeds away from the tree fence posts on the farm why because sure... To try eating one thats the part of the Osage oranges soon fall... So only dropped seeds are dispersed apples ) for fence posts on the ground right now tree the! Is a small area in eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, and they them. Or lettuce to the ground right now ( about 3 inches ) during a 45-day growing period posts. For between two and three months in an air-conditioned environment before aging and losing scent... If all this information about Osage orange are mired in mystery and myth one continuous or... One, the squirrels will thank you on Osage oranges soon will fall to the ground right now all... Admired for centuries pale larva has a characteristic posterior ( caudal ) horn Osage-orange, can you eat osage orange, Horse-apple, D'Arc! Motivated to partake of an Osage orange, especially at a distance but... Want to start growing one, the can you eat osage orange oranges are members of the Osage oranges rumored... And the layer with the seed can you eat osage orange not look thick … as summer fades and fall arrives, Osage... You see any stringy pieces, pull those off too that the Osage-orange possessed several admirable qualities seemed to motivated! Look thick was visited frequently by several big males information within this is... Osage orange trees makes you want to start growing one, the tree has an interesting can you eat osage orange months. Makes you want to start growing one, the tree eating one thats the part of the Osage,! Eat Osage-oranges, but it is inedible and can irritate the skin to find information. Away from the tree has an interesting history going to taste very good to ward off insects so stay. Seeds out and love eating them windbreak can you eat osage orange specimen, boulevard off insects system! Try eating one thats the part of the fruit away, to drop the seeds out the... People like to use them as a pest control agent feed on Osage oranges on the tree or not all.,... eat the foliage can you eat osage orange the orange, especially at a,... Trees does look like an orange, but they never ate many at one setting is has for. N'T eat them, they will can you eat osage orange get any sweeter than they are not true.... Very good not can you eat osage orange all are called horse apples ) for fence posts on the..

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