Silkworm thorn (Maclura tricuspidata)

Кудрания триостренная Маклюра триостренная Китайская шелковица Клубничное дерево

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Plant palette

Maclura tricuspidata: Mandarin Melon Berry Guide

Deep within the mountainous regions of East Asia, Maclura tricuspidata thrives, bearing unique, aggregate red fruits that surprise the palate with a sweet watermelon flavor. This hardy, deciduous tree has a long history of cultivation, particularly in China where its leaves served as an alternative food source for silkworms.

Commonly referred to as the mandarin melon berry or cudrang, it typically grows as a thorny shrub or a small tree. Today, Maclura tricuspidata is valued not only for its edible fruits but also for its durable wood and medicinal bark.

Taxonomy

∟ царство Plantae
∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
∟ Angiosperms
∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
∟ eudicots
∟ Superrosids
∟ rosids
∟ order Rosales
∟ family Moraceae
∟ genus Maclura (Osage orange)
∟ species Maclura tricuspidata (Silkworm thorn)

Morphology

Maclura tricuspidata displays a highly adaptable growth form, typically developing as a deciduous shrub or small dioecious tree reaching heights of 6 to 7 meters. Its branches are armed with sharp, slender thorns measuring 0.5 to 2 centimeters, which gradually disappear as the wood matures.

The foliage and reproductive structures of the species exhibit several key features:

Leaves: The alternate leaves are highly variable (heterophyllous), with young plants showing distinct three-lobed (tricuspidate) tips, while mature leaves transition to entire, ovate, or elliptic shapes. They measure 5 to 14 centimeters in length and 3 to 6 centimeters in width, featuring a dark green upper surface and a paler, sparsely pubescent underside.
Flowers: As a dioecious species, male and female flowers are borne on separate individuals in small, axillary, globose heads. Male inflorescences are yellowish and about 5 millimeters in diameter, whereas female inflorescences are green and measure 1 to 1.5 centimeters.
Fruits: The edible fruit is a globose aggregate syncarp, 2.5 to 5 centimeters in diameter. It transitions from green to a rich orange-red or dark reddish-brown upon maturity, enclosing juicy red pulp and 3 to 6 small, smooth, brownish seeds.

Flowering season

Flowers typically bloom in late spring to early summer, from May to June.

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Applications

The versatile Maclura tricuspidata has been integrated into various traditional and practical uses across East Asia:

Culinary Uses: The ripe aggregate fruits are consumed fresh, dried, or processed into jams, juices, and traditional wines. When fully ripe, the flesh is sweet with a flavor reminiscent of melon and fig.
Sericulture and Agriculture: In China, the leaves serve as a secondary food source for silkworms when mulberry foliage is scarce. The dense, thorny growth also makes the tree useful for establishing protective living hedges.
Traditional Medicine: Various parts of the plant, including the roots, bark, and leaves, are utilized in East Asian traditional medicine to treat inflammation, malaria, hepatitis, and sore throats. Modern research highlights its rich antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.
Material Production: The tough, fine-grained wood is highly valued for crafting bows, furniture, and musical instruments. Additionally, the inner bark is used for papermaking, and a yellow dye can be extracted from the wood.

Interesting facts

The Temple of the Tree: The famous Tanzhe Temple west of Beijing, China, derives its name directly from this species (known as "zhe" in Chinese), showcasing its historical and cultural significance in the region.
Rock Penetrator: In Vietnamese, the tree is called "xuyên phá thạch," which translates to "rock-penetrator," a name inspired by its incredibly long, strong roots that grow horizontally and can crack through stone.
Thorn Loss: Young trees are covered in sharp, protective thorns to deter herbivores, but as the tree matures and its branches grow out of reach, it gradually sheds these thorns.
Global Journey: The tree was first introduced to Europe (France) in 1862 and later to the United States in 1910 by the plant explorer Frank N. Meyer, who suggested it as a hardy windbreak and live fence for arid regions.