Cockspur Thorn (Maclura cochinchinensis)

Family: Moraceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Cocksure thorn or Maclura cochinchinensis is a slow-growing thorny vine native to China, Malesia, Queensland, and New South Wales. The stems grow up to 10 m long and up to 15 cm in diameter. The thorns are present on the nodes. It has been popularly used in ‘batik’ processes in Indonesia. The leaves are oblong and arranged alternately. The fruit is hairy, round, and green but turns yellow-orange as it ripens.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

The young leaves are sometimes eaten raw. The fruit is edible. — The young leaves are sometimes eaten raw.; The fruit is edible.

Habitat & North American Range

Thickets and brushwood in lowland forest and up to elevations of 1,800 metres. (Zone 10)