October 2, 2007
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Osage Oranges
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/natbltn/200-299/nb207.htm
Every fall I look forward to Osage oranges.
The Osage-orange's name comes from the Osage Indian tribe, which lived near the tree's home range, and from the orange-like aroma of the ripened fruit.The Osage Indians used the wood to make bows.
jillcarmel did a post on Horse Apples ,we call them Mock Oranges.I have heard them called Thorn Apples and some people around here call them Hedge Apples too.
Along the fields you will find rows of Osage Orange trees used as fences.They used them for two purposes, the thorns were a good barrier to keep the cattle in the pastures and the wood was hard and made a good fence row.
Here is a cool pic that I found on Hedgeapple.com
I like to put a bowl of them in the house,they smell citrusy.
I also like to use them to decorate for Christmas.
I made these for a Poinsettia Show that we had with a Williamsburg theme.
Here are a few interesting links:
Hedgeapple.com
Great Plains Nature Center
American Forests: The Versatile Osage Orange
Osage thorns
NOTE:THE OSAGE FRUIT IS NON EDIBLE,THE SEEDS,IF DRIED ARE EDIBLE . 
Comments (53)
Huh, I've seen these but never really knew what they were or anything about them.
*sparkle
We call them HedgeApples here in Oklahoma...well, at least that is what we were always told they were.....
They look really cool all dried out too... Can you eat them though? I've never tried one.
Thorn Apples is what we call them....they do make nice decorations...Have a good night....
How was your ladies weekend?
I've never seen or heard of them...
mary
dont get hit by one of those when they fall from the tree though! ouch!!
Cool... they could grow here... I will have to see if the nursery that my son in law works at, stocks them...
you would get along quite nicely with bonzoette who also is somewhat of an osage orange freak!
I am not sure that I have ever seen them.
Those have got to be the ugliest oranges I've ever seen. Look good in crafting, though!
Trish
I never thought them useful at all, thanks
Ahh, the world is so cool, GREEN ORANGES!!!. That kind of defeats the purpose of calling them oranges, lets call them greenanges
Thank you yor yellow layout really brightens my day...not to mention GREENANGES!!!
we called them horse apples too
hope you are doing great
But do they taste good?
I don't think you can eat them can you? I always thought they were worthless.
How flattering that must be to have someone steel your post.
I love the fruit. I bet the Thai people would find a way to eat that.
My weird talent is almost the same as yours...reading and writing backwards during church and at school when I was a kid. In church I also practiced simultaneous translations into 2 other languages. Also... I can say all the books of the bible in one breath. That is my claim to fame.
yeah, ur pics are great even they seem unfamiliar to me but definitely i would like to have a try!
I don't think I have ever even seen this fruit. It has gotten me curious about it though.
I have pick up a throw a few of them but never had a name for them.
I always wondered what those things were.
Interesting.
I thought "horse apple" is what you call dried up, fossilized horse shit. I had that impression from watching the "Shawshank Redemption." I've never seen or heard any of those. I want to try them now.
that is such a good post, girl and I'm glad I could help you with the idea for it. You got alot of interesting comments.
We call that horse shit Road Apples.
aww, I miss seeing these . . . we had a jillion back in Ohio and they're great to throw - they get good loft.
and haha, I would hope that goats would have a more balanced diet than just cans, but the idea of feeding one to anything and having it eat it is really funny to me.
I didn't think they were edible.
Im a texan gal and never heard of any of that.
Peahater answered my questions. Have they ever been used to bean some one?
You have got to be one of the most talented people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Of course I don't really know you but I wish I did! I never knew about the smell of citrus. I will no longer avoid the ugly things:)
Never heard or seen of them. We do have some Ugli Fruit here in the Produce Stands, but I'm sure it's imported. Citrusy fruits don't grow well here but boy, oh boy, we sure can grow normal apples! And pears. And cherries, apricots, peaches, and berries of all kinds. Mmmm.
I never knew what these were! As a matter of fact, I have never seen them until a month or so ago and now I see them all around where I live. Thanks for sharing this information.
Heather
I've heard them called both horse apples and hedge apples. Also the wood is called Bodark wood. They make great fence posts and outlast most other woods. Being a hard wood, they burn a long time in the fireplace.
We have those on our property. Sometimes I have heard them called brain fruit since they look a little like brains!
I brought some in a couple of years ago, and put them in a bowl, and boy did I start sneezing!! So I just enjoy looking at them outside now! Did you know people sell those as insect repellant inside for inside the house?
Yes, you should get those hot peppers done....what are you waiting for? You shouldn't be wasting your time on xanga when there is work to be done.....where's that whip?
So, what do use the hot peppers for? I love roasted peppers with garlic and oil. My aunt used to can them and they were so good, but she didn't usually use hot peppers. I might have to get some peppers at the market this week and do some now that you mentioned it.
We had those growing up. We called em hedge apples. My mom used to cut them sort of thin in rings.. and bake them in the oven and use them for Christmas tree decorations. They were also great for throwing at neighbor kids in play fights. ... not that I would know.. I was an angel.. and *I* am sure I didn't ever throw them at people. *ahem*
We always called them hedge apple. I heard if you hung one of these in your closet they would keep away moths and spiders. Not sure if its true or not. ~Candy
I was indeed listening to Travis Tritt. I heard this song on the radio one day and I knew I had to have it (thank you iTunes). This is his only song that I know, but I love it
I love your colorful site.....and those Osage Oranges
...I feel like I have to untangle your nephew
Hmmm. Good to know! I, too, have seen these around but never knew exactly what they were.
I've heard that placing them around in your garage will keep spiders out ~ does anyone know if that works?
ryc: LOL! especially the "cheap date" part!
They do look really decorative.I have never heard of them before today..
Thankyou for the information..
How interesting, I have never heard of them.
Hey:) I'm heading your direction tomorrow! I'll be about 1 1/2 hours away from where you are if you feel up to visiting. If so just message me for the address so you can mapquest it:) I'll be there thrugh Monday.
Not sure if I've ever seen Osage Orages, but if they're common to the PA Dutch then I prolly have without knowing it.
what a nifty post. i learned a lesson, two or three =)
Very interesting post Beth , much informative . You teach me .
You make great compositions with them .
Love
Michel
Hey, we have tons of Hedge Apples here in Wichita. As a matter of fact, the link you provided to the Great Plains Nature Center...it is about 100 yards from my house
I've always just ignored the lowly hedge apple - now I am going to go do something creative with them! Thanks for the enlightenment!
Interesting post and nice pics too!
I am trying to grow some from seed at the camp... we don't have any growing yet... I am a big fan of diversity!
Here in OH we call them Hedge apples. I have never used them for decoration but they do keep spiders away. We put them on paper plates behind the sofas. After a few weeks they dry up and turn black. I am hoping to get some when they start falling on our church property.
All the fruit and leaves are too lovely and feel fresh....I like it very much !!
I love all that very very much and would like to say u let us have more fresh in the world..