Maclura tricuspidata

Maclura tricuspidata is a tree native to East Asia, occasionally grown for its fruit, somewhat similar to that of the related mulberry (Morus spp.).

Description

A tree which loses its leaves seasonally. It grows up to 8 m high. It is a broad spreading tree. The bark is greyish brown. The young branches are slightly ridged. Young trees and branches have thorns but these fall off. They are 5-20 mm long. The leaves are carried one after another along the branch. The leaves are like mulberry leaves. Often leaves have three lobes with the central love the largest, but leaf shape can vary. The winter buds are reddish brown. Male and female flowers occur on different plants. Female trees are larger than male trees. The flowers are green and pea-sized. Male flowers are 0.5 cm across. Female flowers are 1-1.5 cm across. Pollen is carried by wind. Fruit are somewhat like a mulberry and litchi. The fruit are 1-2.5 cm across and orange-red when ripe. The flesh is juicy and red with 3-6 small brown seeds. In colder places the leaves drop before fruit are ripe. The fruit is edible.

Edible Uses

Aside from its edible fruit, which can also be used to make wine, the tree has several other uses. In China, its leaves are fed to silkworms, its bark is used to make paper and a reddish-yellow dye, and its roots are used for medicinal purposes. Its wood is also valuable, and is used for the construction of bows.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten fresh or cooked. They are used for juice after the seeds are strained out.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

Plants can grow in quite poor soils. They are tolerant of drought. They can withstand temperatures down to -6°C. They need a warm sunny position. They can withstand wind. They do best with a well drained soil. In China they grow on sunny forest margins and mountain slopes between 500-2200 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, Europe, Himalayas, Japan, Korea, Nepal, North America, USA,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed but these may take 10 years to bear. Seed should be sown fresh from the fruit. Plants can also b grown from softwood cuttings and rooting hormone used. Plants can also be grafted. A male and female plant can be planted together and pruned as one bush with 25% male and 75% female branches. Pruning is done regularly. The previous years growth is pruned to half its length.

Production

Up to 150 kg of fruit per tree is possible. Fruit are not easily picked off the tree. Fruit should be fully ripe for best flavour. This means they are dark red to black.

Other Information

It is cultivated in Japan.

Notes

The leaves are used for silk worm.

Synonyms

References (10)

• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 849
• Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 242 (As Cudrania tricuspidata)
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 154 (As Cudrania tricuspidata)
• Flora of China. Vol. 5 p 36 and Flora of China. www.eFloras.org
• Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 355 (As Cudrania tricuspidata)

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