bodark

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bow-wood
• hedge-apple
• osage-orange
• Bodark
• Mock Orange
• Monkey Ball
• Monkey Brain
• Osage orange
• Yellow-wood
• hedge apple
• horse apple

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Myroxylon abruptifolium
• Toxylon pomiferum
• Maclura aurantiaca
• Toxylon maclura
• Toxylon aurantiacum
• Maclura pomifera var. inermis
• Maclura pomifera f. inermis
• Ioxylon pomiferum
• Maclura aurantiaca var. inermis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maclura pomifera is defined by its ability to thrive in diverse environments, although specific data regarding its preferred primary habitat remains categorized as no data available in certain ecological surveys. It is frequently observed in open woodlands, thickets, and disturbed areas where sunlight is abundant. A critical component of its ecological survival strategy is its robust defense mechanism, which is present (yes) to protect its tissues and reproductive structures from herbivory. This defense system, often involving chemical constituents within its wood and latex, plays a vital role in its persistence within its native and naturalized ranges, allowing it to compete effectively against other vegetation and resist various biological pressures.

Defense :

yes

Habitat :

No data available

Life history

The life history of Maclura pomifera is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, allowing it to maintain a robust structural presence. The species exhibits a deciduous growth habit, shedding its leaves annually in response to seasonal changes, a process that dictates its rhythmic cycle of growth and dormancy. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and a phanerophyte life form enables the plant to establish significant biomass and endure varying environmental conditions over many years.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Maclura pomifera is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a tree, though it can also present in a shrub-like habit. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is entirely independent, showing no parasitic behavior. In terms of structural support, it is a self-supporting species rather than a climber, liana, or vine. The stature of the plant is significant, with heights ranging from a minimum of 5 m to a maximum of 20 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 13.04 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

13.04 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Maclura pomifera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. Its vegetative structure is defined by an alternate leaf arrangement, featuring lanceolate leaf forms that optimize light interception. The leaves exhibit significant morphological variability in size, with a mean length of 8.5 cm (ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm) and a mean width of 6 cm (ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 8 cm). These dimensions and the specific leaf shape facilitate efficient gas exchange and transpiration within its physiological framework.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Maclura pomifera is characterized by a dioecious sexual system, meaning individual plants are either male or female. The flowering process typically occurs during a specific seasonal window, starting in May and concluding in June. The reproductive structures are organized into inflorescences of the raceme type, which vary in length from a minimum of 0.025 m to a maximum of 0.035 m. The individual flowers within these structures range in length from 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit that measures approximately 0.9 cm to 1 cm in length, with an average length of 0.95 cm and an average width of 1 cm. The resulting seeds are relatively small, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.0435 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.0216 g to a maximum of 0.05 g. Finally, the dispersal of these reproductive units is governed by a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals for the distribution of the fruit and seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower length max:

3.5 cm

Flower length min:

2.5 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.95 cm

Fruit length min:

0.9 cm

Fruit width mean:

1 cm

Inflorescence :

raceme

Inflorescence length max:

0.035 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.025 m

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass max:

0.05 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0435053916666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.0216 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Maclura pomifera has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Acta physiologica et pharmacologica Bulgarica

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.

Butyrospermol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Lupeol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Osajin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

pomiferin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

1,3,6,7-Tetrahydroxyxanthone

1. Dr. Duke

6-Deoxyjacareubin

1. Dr. Duke

8-DEOXYGARTANIN

1. Dr. Duke

AURICULASIN

1. Dr. Duke

Alpinumisoflavone

1. Dr. Duke

Amyrin

1. 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.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiproliferative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HETE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke