bodark
Maclura pomifera · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (560 studies) · ★★★★★
Bodark, scientifically known as Maclurura pomifera, is a fascinating deciduous tree native to North America. Renowned for its large, distinctive, and edible fruit, this species belongs to the Moraceae family. Beyond its unique appearance, the plant holds significant historical value in traditional medicine and remains a subject of botanical interest.
Names
Common Names
- bow-wood
- hedge-apple
- osage-orange
- Bodark
- Mock Orange
- Monkey Ball
- Monkey Brain
- Osage orange
- Yellow-wood
- hedge apple
- horse apple
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- machura
- madera de arco
- naranjo de los osages
- Espino de los osages
- Naranjo de Luisiana
German:
- Milchorangenbaum
- Osagedorn
- Milchorange
- Bois d'Arc
- Osagedorn
- Milchorangenbaum
French:
- oranger des osages
- Maclura aurantiaca
- Maclure épineux
- bois d'arc
- Oranger des Osages
- bois d'arc
- maclure épineuse
- oranger des Osages
- maclure épineux
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Maclura pomiferaSynonyms
- Myroxylon abruptifolium
- Toxylon pomiferum
- Maclura aurantiaca
- Toxylon maclura
- Toxylon aurantiacum
- Maclura pomifera var. inermis
- Maclura pomifera f. inermis
- Ioxylon pomiferum
- Maclura aurantiaca var. inermis
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales, it is classified under the family Moraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Maclurura and the species pomifera.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Moraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Maclura | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse presence across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its range includes the nation of Hungary. Moving toward the west, the species can be found within the borders of Spain in Southwestern Europe. Its distribution extends significantly into Southeastern Europe, where it is located in both Bulgaria and Greece. Finally, the plant completes its regional presence with sightings in Italy.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Romania | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Krym | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Tadzhikistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Uzbekistan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Osage orange, is characterized by its large, bumpy, and bright green fruits that hang from the branches. These spherical fruits, which can grow to be several inches in diameter, are often described as having a texture similar to a hedge apple. While the fruits are the most prominent part of the plant, they are famously unpalatable to humans and most animals, though they have historically been studied for various medicinal and insecticidal properties.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | Acta physiologica et pharmacologica Bulgarica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Maclura pomifera has 80 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Butyrospermol, Lupeol, Osajin, pomiferin, 1,3,6,7-Tetrahydroxyxanthone.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Butyrospermol | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lupeol | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Osajin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pomiferin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,3,6,7-Tetrahydroxyxanthone | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-Deoxyjacareubin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 8-DEOXYGARTANIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AURICULASIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alpinumisoflavone | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Amyrin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Butyrospermol
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of pharmaceutical sciences
Lupeol
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of pharmaceutical sciences
Osajin
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of pharmaceutical sciences
pomiferin
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of pharmaceutical sciences
1,3,6,7-Tetrahydroxyxanthone
- Dr. Duke
6-Deoxyjacareubin
- Dr. Duke
8-DEOXYGARTANIN
- Dr. Duke
AURICULASIN
- Dr. Duke
Alpinumisoflavone
- Dr. Duke
Amyrin
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Maclura pomifera has 436 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 11B-HSD-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-HETE-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-HT-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ACE-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ATPase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |