Definition

Noun: 1. A small, thorny, deciduous tree (Maclura pomifera) native to the south-central United States, characterized by glossy dark green leaves, an inedible, bumpy fruit resembling a green orange, and very hard, durable, orange-colored wood. Historically, its wood was prized by Native Americans for making bows, and the tree is often used as a hedge or boundary plant.

Usage Examples

• The osage orange tree is easily identified by its distinctive, wrinkled fruit.
• Farmers in the 19th century planted osage orange extensively as a "living fence" before the invention of barbed wire.
• The dense, resilient wood of the osage orange was highly valued for crafting hunting bows.

Advanced Usage

• Hedge Apple: The fruit of the osage orange is commonly called a "hedge apple." While inedible to humans, it is sometimes used as a natural insect repellent in homes.
  • She placed a few hedge apples from the osage orange in the basement to deter spiders.
• Bois d'arc: Another common name for the tree, derived from French, meaning "bow-wood," which directly references its traditional use.
  • The old-timer referred to the fence line not as osage orange but as bois d'arc.

Variants and Related Words

• Hedge Apple (n): The common name for the fruit of the osage orange tree.
• Bois d'arc (n): A historical name for the tree, emphasizing its use for making bows.
• Maclura pomifera (n): The scientific, botanical name for the species.

Synonyms

• Bodark (Regional variant of )
• Hedge Apple Tree (Referring to the tree by the name of its fruit)
• Bow-wood (Descriptive term highlighting its primary historical use)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• As tough as osage orange: An idiom used to describe something or someone as extremely hardy, resilient, or durable, much like the wood of this tree.
  • After decades of farming in that climate, he was as tough as osage orange.

Noun

1. small shrubby deciduous yellowwood tree of south central United States having spines, glossy dark green leaves and an inedible fruit that resembles an orange; its hard orange-colored wood used for bows by Native Americans; frequently planted as boundary hedge