honeylocust
Family
FabaceaeScientific Name
Gleditsia triacanthos
Habit
The honey locust is very hardy as it adapts well to many types of soils. It thrives best, however, on moist soils.
Leaves
Leaves, alternate, consisting of 14 to 30 pinnately arranged leaflets.
Identifying Characteristics
It reaches heights of 30 meters and lives about 120 years. It is used in landscaping and is also used as avenue trees in cities. The thorns on this plant are dangerous when the tree is young. In the past, these hard thorns were used as nails.
Seed Fruit
Fruits are flat, twisted pods containing bean like seeds. Its long twisted fruit pod is 50 centimeters long. An alcoholic liquid is obtained by fermenting the seed coat. The fruit is source of food for birds and mammals.
Where Found
Even though it is rare in Canada, the honey locust covers an extensive range, from central to eastern United States.
Growth Habit
woody bush or tree
Thorns or Spines
present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
yellow,
green
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
lance,
oval
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
pinnate
Leaf Stalk
Varies:
none,
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
taproot
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Tree