Oranger des Osages (Maclura pomifera), Parc de la Tête-d'Or, Lyon (France)

This tree has a very surprising history. The fruits were eaten by mastodons before they became extinct. I am allowing many osage orange trees to grow on my land, so I am ready when the mastodons are re-introduced here. ;-)

www.americanforests.org/magazine/article/trees-that-miss-the-mammoths

fascinating! i will add this tree to my list of ancient plants. my favorite is the horsetail. Equisetum. not so fond of the puzzlegrass version, but the more upright version with fronds that go horizontal out.

the osage orange has been naturalized to my state, Oregon, but is native in the mid-south, - having looked it up because of your info. circling around, the article you link to was written by a man in Eugene, Oregon.

and people think we're just about photos! thanks for the info. i might need to join you and plant an osage orange tree.

Un autre nom de cette arbre est bois d'arc. Nous utilisons le nom français même ici.

i think it's great when trees can't fit into frame of a photo. it helps me feel their size. this tree trunk is beautiful. i imagine fairies gathering in the crook.

seen and enjoyed in 'naturey crap - crappy nature' - thanks for adding!