Common Name(s): Thornless Honey Locust, Sweet Locust, Sweet-Bean, Three-Thorned Acacia

Synonym(s):

Family: Fabaceae

Native To: Central and southern United States

Native Habitat: Fertile soils in grassland areas

Growth Habit: Medium to large deciduous tree

Flowering: White flowers from May to June

Distinguishing Characteristics: G. triancanthos typically grows to heights of around 80 feet. It has a loose, open crown that provides only dappled shade. The leaves are alternate, 5-10 inches long and in pairs of 4 to 8. There are then 14-30 leaflets, either alternate or opposite and ranging from ¾ to 2 inches long. The leaflets are dark green above and paler and more pubescent underneath. The wood is brown to reddish in color while the bark is grayish brown to black. The thorned varieties are armed with typically three-branched thorns that are straight, sharp, shiny, and purplish brown.

Natural History and Cultivation Notes: The genus name, Gleditsia, is in honor of Johann Gottlieb Gleditsch, an 18th century German botanist. The species name refers to the often 3-branched thorns. This species has been cultivated since the early 1700’s as an ornamental, especially the thornless variety, inermis, which we have on campus.

Ethnobotany: The wood of this species is hard, durable, and stiff and used mainly for fence posts and railroad crossties. The G. triacanthos is planted in pastures and hayfield to provide a high-protein mast for livestock. The tree is also planted in many areas for erosion control. White tailed deer and squirrels also enjoy the sweet pulpy flesh of the younger pods. These pods are edible for human consumption as well. The flowers also provide a good source for bee food.

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