Saturday, October 13, 2018

Horse apple

 

 

It’s such an odd fruit.

 

It’s about six inches in diameter.

 

We found some in San Antonio.  It is believed, but not proven, to have insect repellant properties.  The wood of the tree is prized for its strength, flexibility, and stability.  It makes good bows for bows and arrows.  It is resistant to rot, so makes good fence posts.  It is strong and flexible so works well in wooden boat building.

 

Nobody can figure out how the seeds are propagated though because the fruit oozes a white latex-like liquid that is bitter to plants and animals.  There is speculation that the animals that evolved to spread its seeds are now extinct.  These trees are cultivated and distributed by humans now.

 

No comments:

Post a Comment