Hey there, folks! Ever stumbled across a weird, bumpy, yellowish-green fruit that looks like a brainy softball and wondered, “Can I eat this thang?” Well, if you’re eyeballin’ a hedge apple—also known as an Osage orange or horse apple—you’re in for a wild ride. Spoiler alert: eating one ain’t gonna kill ya, but it might make your belly scream bloody murder with some nasty stomach pain. Plus, it tastes like crap. So, what really happens if you eat a hedge apple? Stick with me, and I’ll spill all the juicy (or not-so-juicy) deets on this peculiar fruit.
At our lil’ blog here, we love diggin’ into oddball stuff like this Hedge apples are one of nature’s head-scratchers, and I’ve got some personal curiosity about ‘em after seein’ a pile in a friend’s backyard Let’s break down what they are, what happens if you dare to munch one, and why you should prob’ly just leave ‘em be. Trust me, there’s more to these funky fruits than meets the eye!
What Even Is a Hedge Apple?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of eatin’ one, let’s figure out what we’re dealin’ with. A hedge apple is the fruit of the Osage orange tree, a tough lil’ deciduous tree that grows wild in places like Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. These trees ain’t just any ol’ plant—they’ve been around forever, and their fruit is straight-up bizarre.
Here’s the lowdown on how they look and where they come from
- Appearance: Think of a softball-sized fruit, yellowish-green, with a weird, bumpy texture that kinda looks like a brain or a warty avocado. It’s got these funky indentations all over, makin’ it stand out from regular apples or oranges.
- Inside Scoop: Crack one open (if you dare), and you’ll find a fibrous, white pith surroundin’ a bunch of small seeds. It’s tough as heck, not like the soft, juicy fruits we’re used to.
- Other Names: Dependin’ on who you ask, folks call ‘em hedge balls, horse apples, monkey balls, or Bois d’Arc. Lotsa names for somethin’ so useless in the food department!
- Origin: These trees are native to the southern U.S., and back in the day, they were used for makin’ hedges before barbed wire came along. Pretty cool history, even if the fruit itself ain’t much to write home about.
I remember the first time I saw one of these bad boys rollin’ around in a field near my cousin’s place. I thought, “Man, that’s gotta be some alien fruit!” But nope, it’s just a hedge apple, sittin’ there lookin’ all mysterious. So, naturally, the next question is… can you eat it?
What Happens If You Eat a Hedge Apple? The Ugly Truth
Alright, let’s cut to the chase If you eat a hedge apple, you’re not gonna drop dead or turn into a zombie. They ain’t poisonous, accordin’ to what most folks know The American Association of Poison Control Centers lists ‘em as nontoxic, which is a relief, right? But hold your horses—just ‘cause it won’t kill ya doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to chow down.
Here’s what might happen if you take a bite outta one of these weirdos:
- Stomach Drama: The biggest issue is the severe stomach pain that can hit ya like a freight train. Hedge apples got some irritatin’ compounds in ‘em, includin’ stuff like isoflavones that mess with your gut. It’s like eatin’ somethin’ your body just flat-out rejects. You might feel like you’ve been punched in the belly for hours.
- Skin Irritation: Even handlin’ the fruit can be a pain—literally. The milky juice inside the stems and fruit can cause dermatitis or eczema if it gets on your skin. Imagine gettin’ a nasty rash just from touchin’ it, let alone eatin’ it. Yuck!
- Unpleasant Taste: Let’s talk flavor—or lack thereof. These things are bitter as all get-out. Some folks who’ve tried the seeds (the most “edible” part, supposably) say they taste like pine cones. Pine cones! Who wants to eat that? Not me, and definately not you.
- Digestive Weirdness: While the fleshy part is sorta digestible—about 80% of it, from what I’ve heard—it ain’t exactly easy on your system. You might get nausea, headaches, or just feel plain lousy after eatin’ it. Why risk it?
I gotta be real with ya—I ain’t tried eatin’ one myself (and I ain’t plannin’ to), but I’ve heard stories from folks who got curious. One buddy of mine said he took a nibble as a dare back in high school, and he spent the next few hours curled up moanin’ about his gut. No thanks! If you’re thinkin’ of tryin’ it, maybe just… don’t.
To make this crystal clear, here’s a quick table summarizin’ the effects of eatin’ a hedge apple:
| Effect | Likelihood | Severity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stomach Pain | Very High | Moderate to Severe | Can last hours, feels like bad indigestion. |
| Skin Irritation (Handling) | High | Mild to Moderate | Milky juice causes rashes or eczema. |
| Nausea/Headaches | Medium | Mild to Moderate | Depends on how much you eat. |
| Bad Taste | Guaranteed | N/A | Bitter, unpalatable, just plain gross. |
Why You Shouldn’t Eat Hedge Apples (Like, Ever)
Now that we know what happens, let’s talk about why eatin’ a hedge apple is a straight-up terrible idea. I mean, yeah, it won’t poison ya, but there’s zero good reason to put yourself through the misery. Here’s the deal:
- Taste Sucks: I already said it, but it bears repeatin’. These fruits are bitter and nasty. They ain’t like a tart apple or even a weird tropical fruit you can get used to. They’re just plain disgustin’. Some folks might power through bad-tastin’ stuff for health benefits, but not here.
- No Nutritional Value: Unlike somethin’ like a durian fruit, which smells awful but packs a nutritional punch, hedge apples got nothin’ to offer. They ain’t givin’ you vitamins, minerals, or energy. It’s like eatin’ cardboard—pointless.
- Risk Ain’t Worth It: Sure, you might get lucky and only feel a lil’ queasy, but why gamble? The stomach pain and potential skin rashes are a high price to pay for a snack that ain’t even good. There’s plenty of other fruits out there that won’t make ya suffer.
- Better Left Alone: Honestly, these fruits weren’t made for human grub. Even way back when, prehistoric critters mighta munched on ‘em, but we’ve evolved past that. Leave ‘em for the squirrels—who, by the way, seem to love tearin’ into the seeds.
Speakin’ of animals, let’s not forget about our furry friends or livestock. If you’ve got cows or horses, keep ‘em away from hedge apples. They’re just as unpalatable to animals, and worse, the size and shape can be a chokin’ hazard. I’ve heard of cattle gettin’ these stuck in their throats, and that’s a whole mess you don’t wanna deal with. Even if ya mash ‘em up, animals ain’t gonna thank ya for the meal. They’d rather have proper feed any day.
What Are Hedge Apples Good For, Then?
Alright, so eatin’ ‘em is a big fat nope. But are hedge apples good for anything? Turns out, they got a few uses, though most of ‘em don’t involve food. Here’s what I’ve come across in my chats with folks and pokin’ around:
- Ornamental Decor: Some people use hedge apples as home decor, ‘specially in the fall. Their funky texture and bright color make ‘em stand out in seasonal displays. Pop a few in a bowl on your table, and you’ve got a convo starter. Just don’t let guests think they’re edible!
- Woodworking Wonders: The Osage orange tree itself is the real MVP here. The wood is super hard and durable, makin’ it awesome for stuff like fences, furniture, and even bows for archery. Native Americans used it for makin’ longbows back in the day, and some folks still swear by it for sturdy fence posts that last decades.
- Pest Control Myths: Now, this one’s a bit iffy. Some old-timers swear that placin’ hedge apples around your house keeps spiders, roaches, and mice away. The idea is that the fruit’s oils or juices repel pests. But here’s the kicker—there ain’t much science to back this up. Some studies say certain compounds in the fruit might bug cockroaches a lil’, but a whole hedge apple just sittin’ there? Not so effective. You’re better off with store-bought traps if ya got a bug problem.
- Historical Hedges: Way back before barbed wire, these trees were planted as natural fences. Their thorny branches made ‘em perfect for keepin’ livestock in check. Some of those old hedges are still standin’ today, over a hundred years later. Pretty neat, huh?
I gotta admit, I’ve tossed a couple hedge apples into a decorative basket for Halloween once. They looked cool as heck with some fake cobwebs, but I made sure to warn everyone not to take a bite. As for pest control, I tried leavin’ a few near my garage to see if spiders would scram. Spoiler: they didn’t care one bit. So, take those old wives’ tales with a grain of salt.
Fun Facts and Weird Stories About Hedge Apples
Let’s lighten things up a bit with some random tidbits and oddball stories about these fruits. I love sharin’ the weird stuff, ‘cause it makes ya think about how crazy nature can be.
- Name Game: Why so many names? Hedge apple, horse apple, monkey ball—where do they come from? Well, “hedge” comes from their use in hedgerows, “horse” ‘cause they’re supposably big enough for a horse to choke on, and “monkey ball” just ‘cause they look funny, I guess. Pick your fave!
- Squirrel Obsession: While humans and livestock say “no way,” squirrels go nuts for hedge apples. They tear right through ‘em to get at the seeds. I’ve watched ‘em do it in my buddy’s yard, and it’s like a lil’ buffet for those furry critters.
- Prehistoric Snack: Get this—way back durin’ the Ice Age, big ol’ prehistoric animals used to eat these fruits. Makes ya wonder what kinda stomach those beasts had to handle somethin’ so rough.
- Personal Mishap: My neighbor once thought he’d be clever and make a “hedge apple pie” as a joke. Let’s just say it didn’t go over well at the potluck. Everyone took one bite and started spittin’ it out faster than you can say “gross.” We still laugh about it, though.
I could go on forever with these quirky bits, ‘cause hedge apples are just that kinda fruit—they’re weird enough to keep ya talkin’. Got any strange fruit stories of your own? I’m all ears!
How to Deal with Hedge Apples If You’ve Got ‘Em
If you’ve got Osage orange trees droppin’ these fruits all over your yard, you might be wonderin’ what to do with ‘em. They’re stubborn lil’ things, and gettin’ rid of ‘em ain’t always easy. Here’s some practical tips from my own trial and error:
- Pick ‘Em Up Quick: Don’t let ‘em sit and rot, ‘cause they can get messy and attract bugs (ironic, since they’re supposed to repel ‘em). Grab some gloves—the milky juice can irritate your skin—and toss ‘em in a bag for disposal.
- Decor Over Dump: If they’re in decent shape, why not use ‘em for decor? Stack ‘em in a rustic bowl or line ‘em up on your porch for a fall vibe. Just keep ‘em outta reach of kids or pets who might get curious.
- Tree Control: If the tree itself is the problem, cuttin’ it down might be your only bet. Be warned, though—the wood is tough as nails, and it might take some serious elbow grease. Some folks try sprayin’ the leaves to kill it slowly, but that ain’t always a pretty sight for your yard.
- Don’t Feed ‘Em to Animals: I know I said it before, but seriously, don’t toss these to your cows or horses thinkin’ they’ll like a snack. It’s a chokin’ hazard, and they won’t thank ya for the tummy ache.
Dealin’ with hedge apples can be a hassle, but with a lil’ creativity, you might find a use for ‘em that don’t involve eatin’. I’ve learned the hard way that ignorin’ ‘em just leads to a stinky mess, so stay on top of it!
Wrappin’ It Up: Leave Hedge Apples Off Your Plate
So, what happens if you eat a hedge apple? Long story short, you’re in for a world of hurt with some serious stomach pain, a nasty taste, and maybe even a rash if you handle ‘em wrong. They ain’t toxic, but they sure as heck ain’t worth the trouble. These fruits from the Osage orange tree are better left as quirky decor or just ignored altogether. The real value is in the tree’s wood, not the fruit, so save your appetite for somethin’ tastier.
We’ve covered a ton here at our blog, from what these weirdos look like to their historical uses and why they’re a no-go for snackin’. I hope I’ve saved ya from makin’ the same mistake my buddy did with that dare all those years ago. Nature’s got plenty of mysteries, and hedge apples are one of ‘em—just not the edible kind.
Got any wild stories about hedge apples or other strange fruits you’ve come across? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear ‘em! And if you found this post helpful (or just entertainin’), share it with your pals who might be tempted to bite into somethin’ they shouldn’t. Let’s keep the bellyaches to a minimum, yeah? Catch ya next time for more oddball adventures!
Maclura pomifera: The Edible Inedible
Sometimes everybody is almost wrong.
If you Googled “Osage Orange” or “Maclura pomifera” (mak-LOOR-uh pom-EE-fer-uh) in 2009 you’d get some 50,000 hits.* Approximately 49,997 of those sites told you the Osage Orange is not edible. Two of three remaining sites, here and the one below, said it is edible. The third one reported we sait it is edible but we must be wrong.
In all fairness, not all of the fruit is edible. Only the seeds are. In fact, the Osage Orange it is closely related to the Mulberries, which we do eat, and the Paper Mulberry which also has an edible fruit. But, 99.999999% of the Internet sites said it was not edible. Why? Two reasons. Somebody a long time ago said the fruit was not edible, and the Internet is mostly cut and paste wrong. I have truly become disgusted with sites like Wikipedia regarding the inaccurate information about plant edibility.
It was from Jim Mason, a naturalist with the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita Kansas, that I learned the seeds were edible. They taste somewhat like raw sunflower seeds. Not bad for an inedible fruit though he did say it takes a lot of work to get the seeds, and he’s right. The Osage Orange grows in Florida — I know where there is one in Jacksonville. I have visited it several times. However, the tree grows in abundance in the mid-west, being part of the 1930’s reclamation process. It is, or was, the most intentionally planted tree in the United States in competition with the Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia). Its native range is a swath running from east Texas up into Oklahoma and parts of western Arkansas. It grows in 39 states and Washington DC, excluding the coldest and or driest areas, such as the high plain states and upper New England. Also found in Canada, it’s “invasive” in Italy and approaching invasive in Spain.
To separate the edible seeds from mature fruit put the fruit in a bucket of water and wait until the fruit is soft, then separate the seeds out. This will be an aroma-filled process and not pleasant. Let’s just say starving would help.
Also called Hedgeapples, the Osage Orange got some of its reputation from killing livestock. But careful investigation shows the animals usually suffocated on the large fruit. That got translated into “toxic.” But one livestock feeding study found no significant chemical problems with the Osage Orange. As for the seeds, birds and small mammals have enjoyed them for a long time. Squirrels seem particularly fond of ripping into one.
While the edibility of the Osage Orange has been maligned for decades, its usefulness as a tree has not. It was and still is esteemed for making bows. In fact, some bow makers think the Osage Orange’s wood for bows is superior to the Yew Tree, which is usually held up to be the classic standard. The wood is turned into various products or used to make guitars. The bark also furnishes a yellow dye and tannins.
Botanically, the Osage Orange, Maclura pomifera, was named for a Scottish-born semi-American geologist named William Maclure (1763-1840.) He moved around a lot so calling him an American is a bit iffy. Pomifera means bearing apples.
The Culinary Applications of the Osage Orange 01: Eating Tree Brains, Hedge Apple.
FAQ
Is Osage orange and hedge apple the same thing?
Are Osage oranges edible to humans?
The Fruit. The fruit of the wild Osage orange is rather fascinating. It is the largest fruit of any tree native to North America. Vividly yellow to yellowish-green in color, the Osage orange fruit has a fruity, citric fragrance and is inedible to humans, even though naturalists say the seeds are edible.
Does Osage orange have medicinal uses?
Osage orange has potential medicinal uses, with compounds in the fruit and extracts from the bark and leaves showing antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties in research, though the fruit itself is not edible. Native Americans used Osage orange for treating cancer, sore eyes, and tooth pain, with various parts of the plant used in folk medicine for conditions like uterine hemorrhage and to combat infections. Clinical trials are ongoing, and while promising, the fruit is not recommended for consumption, and whole fruits are ineffective as a pest repellent.
What are hedge apples and what are they used for?
Actual Uses and Benefits
Seasonal decor: Their unique appearance and bright yellow-green color make hedge apples popular for fall decorations and centerpieces. Wildlife food: While not palatable to humans, hedge apples are eaten by squirrels, deer, and some bird species.
Can you eat a hedge apple?
The hedge apple is inedible not because of its ugly taste and appearance but because of the latex, the fruit secrets that can irritate the human skin. Anything that can harm the outside of the human body can hurt the inside too. The seeds can be eaten but require at least 24 hours of soaking to make them soft.
Are hedge apples toxic?
However, that isn’t the whole story. While hedge apples aren’t toxic themselves, they contain substances that are sticky irritants, which can in turn cause dermatitis or eczema. Annoying as it may be, eczema isn’t anywhere close to lethal and some skin cream can often be enough to take care of it.
What happens if you choke a hedge apple?
Anything the animal eats or drinks will come back up through the throat and into the stomach if it is blocked by a hedge apple or piece. In the case of a choker, this can lead to a life-threatening condition known as tracheobronchomalacia, in which the airway is blocked and the victim can’t breathe.
Are hedge apples inedible?
The straighter answer is, hedge apples, also known as Osage oranges, are inedible. The hedge apple is inedible not because of its ugly taste and appearance but because of the latex, the fruit secrets that can irritate the human skin. Anything that can harm the outside of the human body can hurt the inside too.
Are hedge apples healthy?
While hedge apples are not commonly eaten for their health benefits, they do contain some nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. However, it is important to consume them in moderation due to their potential laxative effects. Can you use hedge apples in recipes or cooking?
Are hedge apples bad for cattle?
As foodstuff for both humans as well as animals, hedge apples are unpalatable and practically useless. While cattle may not die from the hedge apples’ contents, their size and shape can get stuck in their throats, causing them to suffocate.