Maclura cochinchinensis
cockspur thorn
Eastern Australia and South-East Asia
Overview
Maclura cochinchinensis is an evergreen, spiny scrambling shrub or woody climber that reaches 3-10 m (10-33 ft) where it can clamber over other vegetation, native to eastern Australia and South-East Asia. Stems are armed with stout, sharp, recurved spines up to 2 cm (0.8 in) long, modified short branchlets that hook onto supports and give the common name cockspur. The alternate leaves are elliptic to oval, 2-8 cm (0.8-3.1 in) long, glossy dark green, and exude milky latex when cut. The plant is dioecious, with separate male and female plants bearing small globular heads of greenish-yellow flowers in spring and summer. Female plants ripen rounded yellow to orange fleshy fruit about 2 cm (0.8 in) across, eaten by birds and other animals. It grows in rainforest margins, vine thickets, and along watercourses on a range of soils. The hooked spines and vigorous, tangling growth make it a formidable barrier but a hazard near paths, and the latex can stain and irritate. Without support it forms a dense, mounded, impenetrable thicket.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland south into New South Wales, and widely across South-East Asia and the Pacific, growing in rainforest margins, vine thickets, gallery forest, and coastal scrub on varied soils.Suggested Uses
Used as a barrier or security hedge, in stock-proof boundaries, and in habitat plantings where the fruit feeds birds. The fruit is edible and has been eaten fresh. Spaced 1-2 m (3-6.5 ft) apart for a dense thorny screen.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 32'10"
Width/Spread6'7" - 13'1"
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Small greenish-yellow flower heads appear in spring and summer on separate male and female plants. Female plants follow with rounded yellow-orange fruit ripening through summer and autumn. Only female plants bear the conspicuous fruit, and a male plant nearby aids pollination.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-9 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to part shade on most reasonably drained soils with moderate moisture. Water through establishment, after which the plant tolerates short dry spells and a wide range of conditions. It grows vigorously and may need a sturdy support or regular cutting to keep it within bounds. The recurved spines cause injury, so it is grown well clear of paths and play areas. The milky latex can stain skin and clothing and irritate sensitive skin. Frost damages young growth, so it performs in frost-free and coastal districts.Pruning
Cut back hard at any time of year to control size and shape; the plant reshoots strongly from old wood. Thick gloves and eye protection are usual when pruning because of the hooked spines and latex. Regular trimming keeps a hedge dense and within bounds.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall