Osage Orange
Maclura pomifera
The Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) is a resilient, thorny tree famous for its heavy rot-resistant …
Pubescent Maclura (Maclura pubescens)
Hairy cudrania
Hairy maclura
Mao zhe teng
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey
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Maclura pubescens: Hairy Mulberry Climber Species
Distinguished by its densely hairy stems and leaves, Maclura pubescens climbs through the mountainous forests of southwestern China and neighboring regions. It prefers elevations ranging from 540 to 1600 meters above sea level, colonizing sunny slopes and forest edges.
This dioecious species relies on wind and insect pollinators to fertilize its flowers in its natural habitat. Its adaptation to cooler mountain climates distinguishes it from many of its lowland tropical relatives within the genus.
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 pubescens (Pubescent Maclura)
Morphology
The defining morphological feature of Maclura pubescens is the presence of fine, soft hairs covering various parts of the plant. This pubescence is particularly dense on young branchlets, petioles, and the lower surfaces of the leaves.
Its leaves exhibit several key characteristics:
- Shape: Elliptic to ovate-elliptic, typically measuring 6 to 12 centimeters long.
- Pubescence: Covered with soft, grayish-white hairs, especially on the abaxial side.
- Spines: Strong and woody, often slightly curved, developing in the leaf axils.
Like its relatives, this climber is dioecious and produces clustered inflorescences:
- Male Flowers: Arranged in small, globose heads with puberulous peduncles.
- Female Flowers: Grouped in fleshy heads that develop into globose syncarps.
- Mature Fruits: Fleshy, globose structures that turn bright orange-red when mature, containing small, ovoid achenes.
Interesting facts
The species has developed interesting traits suited to its upland habitat:
- Thermal Regulation: The dense pubescence on its leaves is believed to protect the plant from cold mountain temperatures and reduce water loss.
- Symbiotic Relationships: Its dense, tangled growth form provides nesting sites for small birds, protecting them from larger predators.
Geography of distribution
- China
- Indonesia
- Myanmar
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- World Flora Online (WFO)
- Flora of China
See also
Silkworm thorn
Maclura tricuspidata
A deciduous tree native to East Asia, Maclura tricuspidata is known for its sweet, melon-flavored …
Dyer's mulberry tree
Maclura tinctoria
A medium to large neotropical tree famed for producing fustic, a natural yellow dye historically …
African Osage Orange
Maclura africana
A woody, thorny scrambler native to southeastern Africa and Madagascar, producing small yellow-orange fruits and …