Genus of flowering plants
Maclura is a genus of flowering plants in the mulberry family, Moraceae. It includes the inedible Osage orange, which is used as mosquito repellent and grown throughout the United States as a hedging plant. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers borne on separate plants.
"Maclura" is closely related to the genus "Cudrania", and hybrids between the two genera have been produced. Some botanists recognize a more broadly defined "Maclura" that includes species previously included in "Cudrania" and other genera of Moraceae. The genus likely originated in South America during the Paleogene.
Species.
13 species are accepted.
Etymology.
The genus is named in honor of William Maclure (1763-1840), a Scottish-born American geologist and educational reformer. President of the American Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia for 22 years. Maclure made major contributions to his field, including the first true geological map of any part of North America, and was a strong advocate of universal education, especially for women.
Fossil record.
Fossils similar to "Maclura" have been reported from the Middle Eocene of England.
References.
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External links.
 Media related to at Wikimedia Commons
 Data related to at Wikispecies