Alien pods in Central Park

January 8, 2012 9:34 AM

Plant matter identification: What's this thing? Here's the picture.

This plant material was found in New York City. Specifically, Central Park (near CPW in the mid-60s). It's basically a fist-sized green ball that breaks apart as in the photo. The photo was taken last autumn, but I hadn't gotten around to asking until now. I've seen something similar in Riverside Park.

I suppose it's some sort of seed pod from one of the trees, but I'm curious about what tree.

posted by chengjih to Science & Nature (9 answers total)

Best answer: Growing up in Texas, we called them horse apples. It's a multiple fruit

posted by purpleclover at 9:40 AM on January 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

Best answer: An Osage Orange.
posted by jenny76 at 9:42 AM on January 8, 2012 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Osage orange?
posted by jon1270 at 9:42 AM on January 8, 2012

Best answer: Osage orange. The wood from these trees is especially prized for bowmaking.
posted by Ostara at 10:59 AM on January 8, 2012

Best answer: Osage Orange. You'll also hear them called hedge apples. The trees were planted en mass as windbreaks in agricultural areas, but in NYC I'd say it was planted as a specimen (they can get quite large and impressive but have a tendency to get too big and split under their own weight).
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 11:14 AM on January 8, 2012

Response by poster: Yes, that looks correct. I'll look out for those trees where we found the fruit, then.

Thanks!
posted by chengjih at 11:22 AM on January 8, 2012

Best answer: I've always referred to them as hedge apples, but they're the same tree. The wood is incredibly hard and also useful for making mallets and for tool handles. If you're cutting it with a chain saw, it's not uncommon for it to throw sparks.

If you're trying to ID the tree, big nasty thorns are a clue.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 12:08 PM on January 8, 2012

Yes, in Texas those horse apples come from what we call Bois d'Arc trees.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 2:03 PM on January 8, 2012

The fruit is said to repel spiders, for whatever that's worth. You're supposed to put them under your bed or somesuch.
posted by jquinby at 2:59 PM on January 8, 2012