Tag: Maclura pomifera

Historically, the 'doctrine of signatures' claimed that plants resembling human body parts could treat ailments for that body part. While this theory is a myth, it inspires many to wonder what type of fruit looks like a brain, and the most common answers are the Osage-orange and the walnut.

Interestingly, several plants produce fruits with an uncanny resemblance to the human brain, but they are very different in origin, edibility, and purpose. This visual similarity has led to nicknames for a few distinct species, commonly referenced when asking what is the brain like fruit.

Despite its deceptive name, the large, bumpy Osage orange fruit is overwhelmingly deemed inedible for humans due to its unpalatable taste and tough, woody pulp. Though technically non-toxic, the fruit's thick, sticky, milky sap can cause skin irritation in some people.

While the peculiar-looking, green, lumpy fruit resembling a brain is a common sight in some parts of the United States, it is not an edible delicacy for humans. The fruit, officially known as the Osage orange (*Maclura pomifera*), is largely considered unpalatable due to its bitter taste, tough texture, and sticky internal sap.