Cockspur thorn
Maclura cochinchinensis

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A thorny climbing shrub. It grows 4-10 m long. It has cane like twigs. It forms thickets. It can be erect or spreading. It has spines which are curved. They are about 1 cm thick. The leaves are alternate and oblong. The base is wedge shaped and it tapers to a short tip. They are 7-15 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 6-10 mm long. They are leathery. Broken leaves and twigs ooze milky sap. The male and female flowers are separate on separate plants. The male flowers are 6-10 mm wide. The female flowers are hairy. The fruit is a composite round fruit 2-5 cm across. It has a pattern of squares over the surface and is green but turns yellow-orange when mature. They are hairy. The fruit are edible. There are several very small seeds inside.

There are about 12 Maclura species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the forest. It can grow on coral soil. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 1600 m altitude. In Nepal it grows between 600-1200 m altitude. It grows on the outer edge of the forest. It grows near villages in S China. It can be in mangrove forest. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Asia, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Christmas Island, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. They are also used for making wine. The young leaves are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds or cuttings.

In Australia, fruit occur from November to May. In India plants flower and fruit April to November.

Its other names

Local names

Amali, Bapou chuni, China maclur, Damaru, Damru, Gou ji, Kamgu, Kangu, Ke le, Kederang, Khmea, Kuderang, Manda, Mangei, Peinne-nwe, Pulikait, Tegerang, Tekum esing, U-sia-kiang

Synonyms

Cudrania cochinchinensis (Lour.) Kudo & Masamune; Cudrania javanensis Trec.; Maclura javanica Bl.; Vaniera cochinchinensis Lour.; and several others