Osage oranges... on one counter with watermelons and melons
October 25, 2017 | 09:53 |290
And that very well may be the fact. On the Black Sea coast the plant, which is well-known to the Turkmen people, is called the Adam's apple. Osage orange is offered to tourists traveling to resorts in the autumn, as a miracle medicine at a cost of half a dollar each. By the way, (Maclura pomifera) has some other names: Chinese or Indian orange, as well as Fustic (Chlorophora tinctoria). It's hard to believe, but the Mulberry plant (Morus alba) and Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) are relatives. These plants belong to the same plant family, but the origin of the Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) is America. And how did it get to Turkmenistan? The candidate of biological sciences Louise Ivonina, a native of Ashgabat, told to me with great pleasure the history of this plant. In her opinion, all trees are ornamental. Each tree has its own beauty, including Osage orange, well-known by the citizens of Ashgabat. In autumn, it stands out with its “oranges”, as well as brightly orange foliage. Now is the peak of the season of the Osage oranges.Leonid KYASHKO, Journalist, Ivanovo
“According to archival data, the first sowing of the Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) in Ashgabat was in 1900. Seeds were taken from Samarkand. And after three years in the Firyuza nursery there were forty seedlings,” the expert explains.
This choice is not accidental, because our climate with heat and dry air, some soil salinity and even shade is very suitable for Osage orange. Probably, it is as in its native Texas. It is also winter resistant plant. In Russia, as I learned, it can be found even in Voronezh. And it is growing very quickly. Therefore, it is recommended for planting in gardens and parks, creating protective zones and safety-meliorative zones (ribbon parks along highways).
This plant can be found in the Turkmen capital everywhere. There are single and group plantings. Used for hedges, occasionally for topiary art.
“Fifteen meters trees of Osage orange, standing by the tennis town in a green and cozy 30th micro district, are throwing their “balls” on the courts. The tennis-players are very surprising by the similarity of Osage oranges with the tennis balls. As in this picture,” shares her impressions Louisa Nikolaevna.
The flowers of this plant are unremarkable, but the Osage oranges deserve attention.
“In the 1970s of the last century, I saw how the citizens of Ashgabat collected the Osage oranges. Perhaps, it was the same before,” the interlocutress recalls.
If they collected Osage oranges, so then knew about the usefulness of “oranges.” Let’s speak about them now. At the Black Sea resorts, as we said, this medicine is very much appreciated.
People offered to me to grind the cake of Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) and place in a jar, promising that this medicine would help if it was applied to a sore spot, wrapped in plastic and left for the night. Such a medicine, as they say, is good for radiculitis, osteochondrosis, and skin diseases. They advised to keep the “Adam's apples” in the refrigerator.
There are indeed many active and useful substances in the milky juice, which literally impregnated all parts of the plant. The chemical composition of the Osage orange fruit is very diverse, but many substances, again, you might be surprised, are similar to the substances from the fruit of mulberry tree. However, the Osage oranges are inedible. But they are valued, not for their taste, but for powerful antioxidants.
“Thanks to the unique chemical composition of the Osage oranges, they are used for medicinal purposes, including the strengthening of immunity and the prevention of cancer,” explains Louisa Ivonina.
She gives tinctures and ointments as an example, and refers to the eighth volume of the encyclopedic work on medicinal plants of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
“The book includes detailed information on the use Osage orange fruits in the treatment of skin diseases, as well as arthritis, rheumatism, arthrosis, cervical osteochondrosis, and ways of preparing alcoholic tinctures and ointments,” the specialist says.
In the medical industry of many countries, the Osage orange fruits are used to make medicines that stimulate cardiac activity, as well as ... antibiotics.
The use of the Osage orange (Maclura pomifera), by the way, can be even more unexpected. Its wood is stronger than oak. It has a beautiful amber color. Over time, it becomes luxuriously gold. So in some countries the material goes for the manufacture of furniture. And the strength and flexibility of wood has long been valued by craftsmen making bows. Bark and roots of the Osage orange tree give a beautiful yellow paint.
It is worth taking a look at the Osage orange tree. And maybe we should think about exports? It is not a bad source of income.
