Maclura tinctoria (L.) D.Don ex Steud.

A spreading tree. It can be spiny. It grows 10-30 m high. The trunk is 30-35 cm across. The bark is smooth and light grey. The leaves are yellow-green and alternate. They are in double rows on the twigs. They are pointed and slightly hairy. The leaves are oval and 5-10 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge. They taper to the tip. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The male flower clusters droop from the base of the leaves. The female flowers are crowded into round heads. The fruit are multiple fruit that are juicy, sweet and edible. The male flowers are in long stalks 4-6 cm long. The fruit is an irregular round shape. It is 1-1.5 cm across.

A tropical plant. In Bolivia it grows up to 1,000 m altitude. It is common throughout Brazil. It grows in dry zones. It is often on limestone outcrops. It grows up to 100 m above sea level in Puerto Rico. In Mexico it grows to 350 m. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. They are also used for pies.

Plants are grown from seed.