Cudrania cochinchinensis, cockspur thorn, glossy evergreen leaves on thorny sprawling stems.
Cudrania cochinchinensis, cockspur thorn foliage and spines, a rare Osage-orange relative.
Cudrania cochinchinensis, cockspur thorn, glossy evergreen leaves on thorny sprawling stems.
Cudrania cochinchinensis, cockspur thorn foliage and spines, a rare Osage-orange relative.
Medicinal Edible Very Rare

Cockspur Thorn

Cudrania cochinchinensis

$25.00 Sold out
1 Gallon USDA Zones 7–9 Full Sun and Part Shade Matures 6–8 Feet

Cudrania cochinchinensis, the cockspur thorn, is a rare, glossy-leaved evergreen relative of the Osage orange: thorny and sprawling, with edible mulberry-like fruit and deep roots in Chinese herbal tradition.

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The Full Story

This spiny, sprawling, half-vining shrub carries glossy evergreen leaves and a tangle of thorns. Sometimes classified as a Maclura and related to the native Osage orange, cockspur thorn ranges widely across eastern Asia and south to Australia, yet stays rare and little known in North America, familiar mostly to a few bonsai enthusiasts.

Woodlanders first met this plant years ago at Pinewood Estate, a winter home built in the 1930s in the exclusive Mountain Lake development at Lake Wales, Florida. The original source is unknown, and we have not encountered the plant elsewhere. Propagated and planted in Aiken, South Carolina, cockspur thorn thrived for many years in a sunny, well-drained sandy spot until finally removed. We continue to make rare plants like this available.

The fruit is reportedly edible, though the species is dioecious and the sex of this clone is unknown, so a plant of the opposite sex nearby is needed for fruit to set. Give well-drained soil rich in organic matter; cockspur thorn takes sandy, loamy, or clay ground in stride so long as the drainage is good.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Explore this plant’s medicinal profile
Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 7–9
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained
Mature size
Height 6–8 Feet · Spread 15–30 Feet
Growth rate
Moderate
Seasonality
Evergreen
Design Notes

Cockspur thorn is a plant for the collector and the problem corner. Let the thorny, sprawling stems scramble up a stout fence or an old tree, or keep the shrub clipped as an impenetrable evergreen barrier where a living fence is wanted. The glossy leaves and curious Osage-orange kinship earn a place in a bonsai collection or a rare-plant bed, and a warm, sunny, well-drained site suits the plant best. Plant a male and a female together if the edible fruit is the goal, and site the thorns well back from paths and seating.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

The flowers of Cudrania cochinchinensis are small and inconspicuous. They are typically greenish-yellow and appear in clusters. The plant is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. To produce fruit, both male and female plants are needed for pollination.

Flower. Small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers cluster along the stems in late spring and early summer; the cockspur thorn is dioecious, so male and female flowers sit on separate plants.

Fruit. Where a male and female grow together, small round fruit follows, red to orange when ripe, resembling a little mulberry or raspberry, and reportedly sweet and pleasant.

Foliage. Glossy, evergreen leaves on thorny, sprawling, half-vining stems, dense enough to make an impenetrable tangle.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun to part shade; the heaviest flowering and fruiting come with six or more hours of sun.

Soil. Well-drained above all, and happiest in soil rich in organic matter; sandy, loamy, or clay ground all suit the plant so long as drainage is good.

Water. Regular water while establishing, then reasonably drought tolerant, though steady moisture gives the best growth.

Pruning. Prune in late winter to shape, thin, and remove deadwood; wear heavy gloves, since the thorns are formidable.

Hardiness. USDA zones 7 to 9.

Medicinal & Traditional Use
Traditional profile
Tradition
Chinese
Parts used
Root, Stem
Preparation
Decoction
Active compounds
Xanthones, Prenylated flavonoids, Lupalbigenin, Warangalone
Research evidence
2 / 5
Traditional uses
Detoxification & CleansingRespiratory SupportPain ReliefReproductive Health
History & tradition

In traditional Chinese medicine, the root of the cockspur thorn, known as chuan po shi, has long been used in decoctions for coughs and pulmonary complaints, for damp-heat jaundice and liver conditions, and for rheumatism, neuralgia, bruises, and the pain of falls and contusions, where the herb is regarded as blood-moving. Modern laboratory studies have isolated xanthones and prenylated flavonoids from the roots and reported antimicrobial activity, including against resistant bacteria, though this work remains largely preclinical. This note records traditional use and early research only and is not medical advice; anyone considering a plant for health purposes should consult a qualified professional.

References & research
  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031942221001229
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960894X15001997
  3. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Maclura+cochinchinensis
Please note

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is shared for traditional and educational interest only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before any medicinal use.

  • Traditionally avoided during pregnancy as a blood-moving herb
  • Not a substitute for professional medical care
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From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

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Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

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Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
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What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
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