General: The maclura grows as a dense, ground-covering shrub or as a climbing plant in the tropical forests of Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. The wood turns yellowish with age and the branches are partly heavily thorned. In Indonesia, the shrub is traditionally used for dyeing and as a medicinal plant.
Care as a bonsai: Maclura is a robust plant and, when pruned, develops good fine branching. It is undemanding to look after, but prefers a bright location. In a cool winter, the leaves are partially shed completely. In the spring, however, it sprouts vigorously again.
