Re-search Re-ading

      Sometimes it is good just to spread a little knowledge about. 

      I have lived in Indiana for 33 years and have seen these green globes each and every autumn hanging on trees, scattered about the base of the tree trunks, and smashed on the roads.  They are large, about the size of softballs.  I always ask around, but no one ever seems to know what they are, only sharing that you aren't supposed to actually eat them. 

      You would think once in all those years, and you would especially think this if you know me and knew how I enjoy learning about new things, that I would have spent a moment or two researching just what the heck these things might be.  I grew up in Northeast Iowa and we did not have these there, at least not any that I ever saw or remember in those 20 years. 

      Sunday Mark and I went for a nice little drive together just to soak up some of the fall beauty with the changing leaves, wandering thither and yon wherever the spirit took us, and came upon several of these trees lining a lovely curving country lane.  We took the opportunity to stop a minute and gather three of them with the thought that we would come home and finally figure out what they were. 

      Osage Oranges.  They are called Osage Oranges.  Sometimes they are called Horse Apples because that is about all they are good for, horses able to indulge without harm, humans not as they are poisonous.  If you have ever read about "hedge row apples," these would be the same item.  The trees were apparently planted as windbreaks, etc. and grow primarily in the southern part of the U.S.   

      After running my fingers all over the bumpy outside, which is a lot of fun because it is just so pebbly and nice, we cut one open to see what was inside (after all, it is a little difficult to discern what is actually inside when they are splat all over the road by automobile tires and resemble nothing more than a big sloppy mess of goo).  The insides are white and sticky and have lots and lots of seeds, like a pomegranate.  They smell like oranges (both inside and outside)...not as strong, but definitely have the orange smell, which is just lovely. 

      So now you know.  And, if you want to know more, click here.  You can say you read about it at GKT because we are all about doing a little research reading around here and all.  Osage Oranges, who knew?