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Osage Orange Traditional Cache

Hidden : 4/18/2020
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:


Maclura pomifera, commonly known as the Osage orange, hedge, or hedge apple tree is a small deciduous tree or large shrub, typically growing to 8 to 15 metres (30–50 ft) tall. The distinctive fruit, from a multiple fruit family, is roughly spherical, bumpy, 8 to 15 centimetres (3–6 in) in diameter, and turns bright yellow-green in the fall. The fruits secrete a sticky white latex when cut or damaged. Despite the name "Osage orange",[3] it is only distantly related to the orange,[4] but rather is a member of the mulberry family, Moraceae.[5] Due to its latex secretions and woody pulp, the fruit is typically not eaten by humans and rarely by foraging animals, giving it distinction as an anachronistic "ghost of evolution"

If you are wondering why this description from Wikipedia is here, you will know more when you get to the cache site. The cache is surrounded by private property but you can get to the site by walking or driving on Spikard Street. When you get to the end of the street take the asphalt walking path. the rest should be apparent.

The large fruit of the tree is not eaten by wild animals today so it is puzzling why the tree produced such fruit. It is suggested that it may have been a favorite of the giant ground sloth which existed in North America for a long time. After humans arrived it is likely that they were wiped out since they were large, not carnivorous and slow moving.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ybt furrg vf va n fznyy pbagnvare vafvqr gur bhgre pbagnvare.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)