The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. => Topic started by: thedeeredude on August 03, 2008, 07:07:23 PM

Title: odd fruit
Post by: thedeeredude on August 03, 2008, 07:07:23 PM
I saw a tree at work the other day and the fruit looked like the star fruit you see, but it was neon green and only had 4 points on it.  There was a ton of thorns on the tree too.  Found out the hard way :)  I can't take pictures though, so you'll have t go off the description.  Thanks.
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: Dodgy Loner on August 03, 2008, 11:10:05 PM
Weird...Same size as a starfruit, too?  The only thing I can think of that would be growing in PA with a neon green fruit that large, and with lots of thorns, is an osage-orange (Maclura pomifera).  It has more of a grapefruit shape than a starfruit shape, though.  It's a mystery to me :P.
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: thedeeredude on August 04, 2008, 06:42:39 AM
No dodgy, its smaller than a star fruit, maybe an inch and a half long.  I'll bring some fruit home with me and get a picture of the leaves too.
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: Dodgy Loner on August 04, 2008, 09:25:48 AM
Well, that sounds like a Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina), except that silverbell doesn't have thorns.  Here's a picture of the fruit:



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15533/halesia.jpg)
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: thedeeredude on August 04, 2008, 04:24:01 PM
Dats it!  But it definitely has thorns.  Really sharp thorns. 
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: Dodgy Loner on August 04, 2008, 04:37:26 PM
Silverbells are as common as rocks around here, and I've yet to see one with thorns.  Could you possibly get a picture of 'em?  Maybe you've discovered a new variety ???
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: thedeeredude on August 04, 2008, 07:45:50 PM
Yeah, Ill grab a branch tomorrow and get a photo of the thorns.
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: thedeeredude on August 04, 2008, 07:57:55 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12494/Carolina_Silverbell_002.JPG) 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12494/Carolina_Silverbell_004.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12494/Carolina_Silverbell_003.JPG)
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: Dodgy Loner on August 04, 2008, 11:14:05 PM
Yep, that's a Halesia carolina for sure.
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: SwampDonkey on August 05, 2008, 07:06:37 AM
Where's the thorns? ;D
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: thedeeredude on August 05, 2008, 08:13:56 PM
I'm getting there :D  I'm not a procrastinator, I just like saving stuff for tomorrow. :)
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: Dodgy Loner on August 06, 2008, 09:22:03 AM
Top Ten Reasons to Procrastinate:

1...
Title: Re: odd fruit
Post by: thedeeredude on August 07, 2008, 08:25:37 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12494/Silverbell_thorns_003.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12494/Silverbell_thorns_004.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12494/Silverbell_thorns_006.JPG)

Ok.  I got a round tuit ;D  These things are awful sharp too.