Osage Oranges: Edible or Not?
Osage oranges have been around a long time and most sources I consulted advised that they are inedible. My friend Shelly heard they embodied these wonderful cancer fighting properties, so I was on a quest to find out and of course I never stop at the first source.
The Osage orange boasts a number of names such as hedge apple, monkey balls, (French) Bodark, and horse apple. It is a fascinating fruit, but the name seems to garner puzzled looks every where I ask about it at. Shelly, a good friend of mine forwarded me an email about the wonderful health benefits and cancer fighting properties of this fruit. She asked me to research it. I typed it into Google and got so little back that I could not do it justice, but after I mentioned it to Jeanne, another friend, and she sent me a multitude of links she found on AOL.
The first place I found myself was on eBay looking at various items which have been constructed from the beautiful yellow orange hard wood found in the Osage orange tree and some Hedge apple seeds sold by Seed Mart, Alan Hirt. The items mostly constructed from the Osage orange wood were canes, bow and arrows, and musical instruments, and the wood is durable and handsome.
I quickly asked him for permission to reuse his photos and was granted that. His link is above. Alan sells an assortment of seeds for everything from herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables. I enjoyed looking at the many types and the wonderful information he provided.
Maclura Pomifera Trees
“Native to the Midwestern and southeastern United States, this species is also known as the hedge apple because it was planted in thicket-like hedge rows before the advent of barbed wire fences. The fruit is neither an orange nor an apple, although it approaches the size of those fruits. Like the breadfruit and jackfruit, it is a true multiple fruit composed of numerous separate ovaries, each arising from a separate female flower. In fact, the bumpy surface of the fruit is due to the numerous, tightly-packed ovaries of the female flowers.
The wood of Maclura Pomifera was highly prized by the Osage Indians of Arkansas and Missouri for bows. In fact, Maclura Pomifera is stronger than oak (Quercus) and as tough as hickory (Carya), and is considered by archers to be one of the finest native North American woods for bows. In Arkansas, in the early 19th century, a good Osage bow was worth a horse and a blanket. A yellow-orange dye is also extracted from the wood and is used as a substitute for fustic and aniline dyes in arts and industry.” source
Webster’s Definition
While Webster’s New World Dictionary defines Osage arrange as a small thorny tree of the mulberry family, being native to central United States and containing hard, yellow wood. Because of the thorny nature of the tree it has long been used for hedges, deterring trespassers. Webster’s also states the fruit is inedible. But then I came across some sites which contradict this.
At http://hedgeapple.com I learn the following facts:
- While Hedgeapples are not poisonous, their consumption has resulted in death by suffocation for some livestock. The apple is so big, and not easily dissolved and would lodge itself in their esophagus.
- In Texas they are called Horse Apples. They are also referred to as Green Brains, Mock Oranges, Hedge Balls, and Monkey Balls.
- Hedgeapples are either male or female, with only the female bearing fruit and the male the thorns.
- Rumor has it that during WWII there was a food shortage and the GIs diet was supplemented with these.
- The wood is hard, durable, beautiful, and rot resistant. It also is the highest in BTUs for burning for fuel or heat.
An entomology article written by Dr. Joel Coats at Iowa State University found that this plant, and another, catnip, repel German cockroaches. http://www.ent.iastate.edu/dept/research/tox/catnip.html
An Excellent Hedge
According to Jeff Ball in The Versatile Osage-Orange, the tree was often planted to produce shrubs and fence posts. The male tree bears thorns and was once used to stop trespassers, and to keep cattle in. In 5 to 10 years they are considered “horse high, bull strong, and hog tight.” They can create shrubs or trees depending how closely they are planted to one another and the growing conditions. The average tree can grow 25-30 feet, but some have grown to over 60. The width averages 1 1/2 feet. The hedgerows provide excellent cover for wildlife and the squirrels love the fruit.
Medicinal Benefits in the Tree
J. D. Burton writes in Osage Orange that the wood of the timbers is immune to termites, and though the wood is desired because of the structural qualities research is also showing a number of beneficial compounds can be extracted from it’s wood and leaves for nontoxic antibiotics and antifungal agents.
Watch out for Dermatitis
The Brittanica online encyclopedia advises that the milky sap produced by the fruit can cause dermatitis, but there is an active antibiotic compound found in the leaves and inner bark. In fact it is believed that the Indians created a root water infusion for eye infections. An active compound called Tetraphydroxystilbene has been extracted from the tree and used in anti-fungal treatments.
Another Vote for Don’t Eat
Again we hear the fruit is inedible in HowStuffWorks.com.
Finally, Instructions for Consumption
http://www.gpnc.org/osage.htm It sounds like there is some work involved in eating an Osage. Squirrels find them quite delightful and do not mind ripping them apart to get to the approximately 200 seeds contained within which are edible. Each is contained in a small husk which must first be removed. A suggestion was made to either let the orange first freeze then thaw to reduce the hard outer shell to mush, or to soak it first in water. Save some of the seeds for future planting.
http://www.gpnc.org/osage.htm photo by Jim Mason
I hope you’ve learned something new today. I am forever learning about God’s bounty.
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37 Comments
Christine Ramsay, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
An interesting and well written article. Did you find out if they had anti cancer properties?
Christine
Jenny Heart, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
You sure developed a great research article. Thanks for sharing.
BC Doan, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
I learned something new today! Haven’t even heard of Osage oranges before..Great article with so much information!
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
Mr. Ghaz, thanks so much for your support.
Christine, I checked at least 10 sources, and it seems that most of them thought they were inedible. Maybe more research needs to be done. God is always several steps ahead of man. lol
Jewels, teamwork helped me find what I did, but I still have questions. I’ve seen them sold at flea markets for spider repellents and was a bit curious then.
Icy, thanks for always being so supportive!
Have a blessed day!
CHAN LEE PENG, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
Osage orange is a new name appearing to me. I’m goin’ to check on it. Thanks for this well-presented article, sister!
Charles Page, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
Grandma, the fruit looks tasty. Are we going to try it?
JohnKing, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
Intriguing page, when I read the word orange I knew I had to read it:)
God bless
Daisy Peasblossom, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
I had always heard that Hedge Apples were poisonous. I’ve used them as roach repellant–you slice them in half, and the roaches get stuck in the milky sap.
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
Chan, thanks for your support. If you get to try it before I run across one, you must tell me what you think!
Charles, it kind of looks pretty inside, doesn’t it. I’m curious too.
John, I found myself intrigued also. Thanks for reading.
Daisy, I wouldn’t want to try eating one that had roaches stuck in it. lol
It may be the same ingredient that repels roaches also repels termites. ?
M J katz, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
Spider repellents? I’ll order a dozen!! 
A wonderfully informative article, Judy! I’ve never heard of osage oranges before now!
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
M J, thanks for reading. Tell your cats to stop sleeping on the job. lol. Mine love to chase spiders and flies!
goodselfme, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
Well composed article with most interesting pics as well. I learned from your infomation. Thank you!
Liane Schmidt, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
Wow……… never heard of them before, thanks for sharing this article!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
Roberta and Liane, I enjoyed researching on this one. It is a fascinating topic. Thanks for your support!
G♥d bless!
Dee Huff, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
I had never heard of this before, so I’ve learned something new. What an interesting looking fruit it is.
papaleng, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
never heard of this before, nice article and very informative.
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
I don’t believe I have heard of this fruit before, although “horse apple” does sound familiar. I will have to ask around.
Darlene McFarlane, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
I am with the majority here, I have never heard of Osage Oranges or any of the other names it is known by. I found the topic and your article fascinating. As usual you taught me something new and gave me food for thought.
Great work, Judy!
valli, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
I have learned something new. Fascinating read.
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on May 25th, 2009
Dee, Ruby, Darlene, & Papaleng it makes me wonder how many other fruits I know little or nothing about. Thanks, all, for your support!
Shelly Brown, posted this comment on May 25th, 2009
Judy,
Loved the article.. I am going to have to check back with my source.. she atates that they wrap the hedge apple in newspaper and stick it in a freezer bag and keeps in the freezer and pulls it out daily and slices off a teaspoon a day and swallows it.. she stated it helps her with her arthitis and pr=eople have stated help with trheir cancer… I want to dig deeper.. if you learn any more please let me know… Great job… as always..
shelly
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on May 26th, 2009
Shelly, it is I who should thank you. I love researching, and learning. Thanks for the invitation!
dhika, posted this comment on May 27th, 2009
I am new know Today, about osage oranges, nice article Judy..
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on May 27th, 2009
Dhika, thanks so much for your support. It is always appreciated.
Momma Tells, posted this comment on May 27th, 2009
I’ve heard of these before, but never really knew much about them. If Daisy uses them as a roach repellent, I think I will pass on the eating part!
Alexa Gates, posted this comment on May 30th, 2009
Great information.. I didn’t know about this fruit before
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on May 30th, 2009
Alexa, we are always learning. Isn’t it awesome? Thanks for your support!
Momma Tells, we eat lemons, salt, and baking soda which are forms of insect repellents, besides I think we eat the seeds according to what I found out. I am curious.
Michelle OLeary, posted this comment on Jun 2nd, 2009
Fascinating! And great work with the research. I’d never heard of these little buggers before, so thanks for the new info!
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on Jun 2nd, 2009
Michelle, thanks so much for your support. I had help with the research and loved where it took me.
A. W, posted this comment on Jun 21st, 2009
Your article is very interesting. My dad is Eatting the hedgeapple to treat colon and liver cancer, and he is feeling wonderful! only a few weeks till surgery and hasnt had a test since eatting the hedge apples. But I will inform you and let you know his progress whether the cancer is gone or has gotten smaller. I am a fern believer Hedgeapples can cure cancer!!!!
Dr Robert E McGinnis, posted this comment on Jul 27th, 2009
One thing of interest that may have been overlooked by many and this is a wondrous and useful plant. Besides being an excellent fence with beautiful wood, this wood makes the strongest and best small bows in the world. I have seen several different kinds but the bow that impressed me the most was made with a hole in the center of the wooden structure for the arrow to slide through when shot and a resting point out about ten inches ahead of the bow. It was marvelous. Since the wood is so strong, you don’t have to have a very large piece of wood to make an adequate bow and these things are unbreakable. I write books about Indians and my fictional Indians made bows among other things from this wood as they crossed the Midwest. My Illinois property had an Osage Orange fence between me and my neighbor. The wire had rotted away, but the fence still kept the cows in.
Great article and great product.
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on Jul 27th, 2009
Dr. McGinnis, I believe I touched upon that when I mentioned the wood is stronger than oak …
“The wood of Maclura Pomifera was highly prized by the Osage Indians of Arkansas and Missouri for bows. In fact, Maclura Pomifera is stronger than oak (Quercus) and as tough as hickory (Carya), and is considered by archers to be one of the finest native North American woods for bows. In Arkansas, in the early 19th century, a good Osage bow was worth a horse and a blanket. A yellow-orange dye is also extracted from the wood and is used as a substitute for fustic and aniline dyes in arts and industry.” source
Thank you for your comment and additional information. I love learning.
L. Devore, posted this comment on Oct 15th, 2009
Interesting research. You should check out this website also. “www.mullinslogcabin.net/hedgeapples_cancer” My husband is ingesting the hedgeapple daily to try to lower his cholesterol (without medications) based on the “miraculous” results posted to the above website. He has only been using it for about 3 weeks and has had no “residual side effects.”
Judy Sheldon, posted this comment on Oct 15th, 2009
L. Devore, thanks for yet another site to investigate & thank you for the visit.
Take care & God bless!
Pelly Rd Girl, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2009
My friend knows someone that has been taking osage for over 20 yrs and is 90 now. She has told me many stories of people with different cancers that it has either shrunk the tumor or made it disappear. A mutual friend of ours was diagnosed with bladder cancer, just a few months ago and confirmed by 3 drs. She was due for surgery, as she had pretty much decided she probably would just die. After consuming a tsp of osage a day for 3 wks, the drs were amazed that the MRI did not show the tumor any longer.
pelly rd girl, posted this comment on Nov 7th, 2009
Actually, L. Devore left the website of my friend. She’s a good friend of mine and the other lady that had the bladder cancer I know as well.
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Mr Ghaz, posted this comment on May 24th, 2009
Very interesting piece!..really nice ones..well written article about Osage Oranges..I liked it..Thanx for sharing