Maclura tricuspidata

Maclura tricuspidata is a tree native to East Asia, occasionally grown for its fruit, somewhat similar to that of the related mulberry (Morus spp.).

Common names
Among its common names are Chinese mulberry (but not to be confused with Morus australis also known by that name), storehousebush, mandarin melon berry, silkworm thorn, cudrang, kujibbong, zhe or che.

Description
It grows up to 6 m high.

The Tanzhe Temple west of Beijing, China is named for this tree.

Uses
Aside from its edible fruit, which can also be used to make wine, the tree has several other uses. In China, its leaves are fed to silkworms, its bark is used to make paper and a reddish-yellow dye, and its roots are used medically. Its wood is also valuable, and is used for the construction of bows.

Fossil record
Fossils similar to Maclura tricuspidata have been collected from the Eocene of France, Miocene of Bulgaria, Pliocene of China and Quaternary of Japan.