Brainy seeds indeed! There can be no other description for these large orange like fruits which contain the seeds of the Osage Orange tree, aka Maclura pomifera. While still in the Army I spotted these on a run route near our base at Fort Campbell. Being from the north and being a gardener I was both fascinated and curious as to what these big things were laying all over the ground (yes even while managing to fast walk-what I call a jog-on a physical fitness route). I picked some up and took them to my office. I asked everyone what they were and no one knew. That was until a good old country 'boy' from Kentucky said, "Oh, those are hedge apples.""What the heck are hedge apples" I asked.
"I don't know but they grow in the woods around here and where I am from. We used to throw them at each other as kids. They hurt!"
Yup, I would imagine so as they are much harder than oranges, though about the same size. On a recent visit to Anonymous's place, I asked Boy #2 and Sidekick to pick up a few of these hedge apples for me. Both boys asked what they are and what do you do with them. What do you suppose I told them?
"Why you throw them at people" Of course!
No, just kidding. I told them they are brain seeds and make the squirrels smart when they eat them. Which really might be true since squirrels love the seeds inside of these 'brains'. Chipmunks appear to love them too, as I have found a few pieces of these brainy seeds scattered around the yard, and I know that pesky chipmunk is the culprit!
Boy, I sure hope Anonymous's kiddos don't start throwing these at people.
in the garden....
I have noticed the foliage of my grape hyacinths have begun popping up. If you see these small daffodil like foliage leaves popping up, do not worry as it is normal for established clumps of grape hyacinths to grow their foliage in the fall. This is a sure sign fall is fast approaching and we will soon be planting more bulbs for a nice spring show.
I have a great aunt that came to visit years ago...and she made me pick up a ton of hedge apples for her. I never did understand what she was going to do with them other than something about putting them in a barrel and letting them soften or something for some reason. I do remember that she had a purpose, but I can't remember what it was for.
ReplyDeleteGood morning all! Jillybean, I wonder what she used them for? Anyone know?
ReplyDeleteHi Tina --don't worry the kiddos won't throw them at people:) They are just amazed at the size and shape of them --they must have some sort of purpose. I know you mentioned to feed squirrel and chippies but maybe you could cook them someway? I am curious today to see if anyone can tell us other uses for them. They are ALL over the place out here. See you later! Another nice hot day --
ReplyDeleteI recall something about putting them in the house to rid of bugs or something... Not sure if this is the same thing though....
ReplyDeleteWhen we went to Texas, Nikki brought back one of these for show and tell, Dad said it is a bordack apple, again they threw them at each other esp around halloween because they came off the tree easily. But, he also said they called them horse apples, because the wild horses ate them once they softened. Same thing I think, has a milky substance from the stem once picked? Everyone in Nikki's class thought it was neat but no one believed it was a apple including the teacher.
ReplyDeleteHuh - I've seen those before but I just thought they were crab apples.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother used to keep them in the corners of the house...said they acted like an insecticide. Beats me if they work that way; but they are always a sweet reminder of her.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, Skeeter and Gail both say to use as an insecticide. Neat idea. I know the kiddos won't throw them at people-watch them with each other though! As a kid we threw chestnuts at each other in Maine. They hurt too!
ReplyDeleteSkeeter & Gail, Seems there is something to the insecticidal thing.
Dawn, It is funny about us northerners, never having seen these things. They are so cool. Only the female tree produces the fruit but there are plenty around. I have heard them called horse apples too.
Stacy, Welcome! Nope, these are much different from crabapples, but pretty cool nonetheless.
What a cool plant or fruit. LoL. Maybe they do make squirrels smart. Haha! Glad to hear the chipmunks love it. It gives them something to eat instead of destroying your garden. haha!
ReplyDeleteThey are very common around here. They were once used to make fences (not the fruit). The tree can be pruned into a dense, thorny hedge that even bulls will not go thru.
ReplyDeleteI've tried the fruit in my old cellar to repel spiders. I believe it does work to a certain extent. Not 100%.
Marnie
I've never seen anything like these strange looking fruits before, how different. I bet they would hurt if someone threw them at you. :( My grape hyacinth folliage is starting to emerge too, which is good, then I don't dig them up by mistake in the fall when I plant my new bulbs. :)
ReplyDeleteDP, Those chipmunks are the worst! They destroy buildings by burrowing under them, sure wish my cat would pick on them instead of the birds.
ReplyDeleteMarnie, I read about these being used as hedgerows. It would be a lot of work but good for wildlife. Another insecticide too, so that is interesting.
PG, Maybe they don't grow by you? I never saw them in NC when I lived there. They are strange. Yes, don't dig the hyacinths (I always am bad about this!)
Those are very cool looking. I think I have seen them before, although I can't recall where.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing these during my childhood. It's funny though, I never see them around anymore.
ReplyDeleteCindy, I hope you remember where you saw them, now a lesson in memory jogging. lol I do these lessons ALL the time.
ReplyDeletePhillip, They are around and I would think especially in your neck of the woods in northern Alabama. Usually in woods or along farmers fields (long gone fallow probably).
We used to have hedge apples around here, too, but most of the trees have been cut down now. I don't know if someone originally planted them, or if they grew wild, but they usually formed hedges between fields. I never knew of any purpose to the "apples" either, though maybe some farmers fed them to hogs.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your daughter's big news!
Thanks Rose, and on your daughter's too.
ReplyDeleteHELLO EVERYONE.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me remember seeing the hedge apple. Texas & Oklahoma are the only states that this tree is native. They are used for insecticides for insects & spiders. During WWII it is said that they were fed to soldiers because of shortage of food. Any should be discarded when they turn black. Yeh, Texans were usually the ones that called them horse apples. Strange looking but pretty in their own way.
As a person who was once a child, I can testify to the fact that they make fine projectiles. I also remember seeing ladies put them in bowls like fruit for decoration, but more so for the fragrance. The fruit is very aromatic when you pick it later in the fall. Somewhere in the back of my brain I remember that Lewis and Clark sent specimens back to Mr. Jefferson to grow. If you want to know even more about this got to:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lewis-clark.org/content/content-article.asp?ArticleID=2523
Lola, Thanks for the information. They are so unusual when you first see them. I thought I would use them as decorations but it is not working out. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteLes, I checked that link and for some reason it did not work, but that is okay as you gave me good information already. I will look out for the fragrance, these do not smell at all that I can tell.Do they hurt a whole whole lot:) No, maybe they just fly real well.
Tina,
ReplyDeleteI had a man close to 90 years old that was a patient of mine and he told me his Daddy use to fry them like fried green tomatos. He said he never liked the way they tasted though. He called them Mock Oranges.
I forgot to say that they are a cousin to the Mulberry Tree.
ReplyDeleteAlso I have found that Eucalyptus can help also to keep insect & spiders out of your home. I like the smell of it too. If you want to rejuvenate it just rinse it in warm water & let it dry completely. I keep a large vase full at each end of my house {like living room & my bedroom}.
Have a good night all.
Hi Tina --this was a great topic --learned so much more about these guys. I think I will put some in the corners of my garage where the spiders like to congregate. A very busy night for me --so much socializing I just now got a chance to get on here, lol. We had a friend from out of state visit us, a friend that just returned from Japan and of course cross country practice for the Boy 1. I can't complain --I got alot of talking and visiting in --great day. Nighty -night y'all!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, I am just now commenting because every time I saw that photo I had to run away! The boys threw these at us in Oklahoma when we were kids and they hurt and are scary looking, especially one coming through the air at your head! I can barely look at them. LOL I love the fresh look of the grape hyacinth foliage poking through. It also shows where they are planted so we can be careful when looking for a spot for yet more fall planted bulbs.
ReplyDeleteTina ~ Your lesson for me in memory recall has been successful! Last year my husband brought some of these home with him. I think someone at his work brought them in for him. I think we ended up just putting them out for the critters to eat up (after they sat in the garage for a while -lol)!
ReplyDeleteCindy, Isn't it great when we remember that elusive thingy?
ReplyDeleteWe had them in Illinois- back in the 80's we did some kind of goofy crafts with the Osage oranges...slicing them, letting them dry and putting them on stems in dried arrangements with quaking grass. You had to grab them fast because the squirrels loved to tear them up and eat the seeds.
ReplyDeleteI've seen Osage oranges listed on Texas plant sites as Bois d'arc, wood of the bow, because that's what Native Americans made from the branches.
You'll think of something fun to do with them, Tina!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Annie, I wish I was so crafty to slice these and make some crafts. I am not much of a decorator and arranger in the house but I think they would look great with quaking grass. That is interesting about the bows and Indians. Now that I saw the video of you singing (Texas in May) that is what comes to mind when I think of you. I loved that song!
ReplyDelete