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Woody > Gleditsia > Gleditsia triacanthos > Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis

Gleditsia triacanthos

var. inermis


Thornless Honeylocust




Origin:  Found in Southern Ontario and the central and eastern United States of America.
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Gleditsia
Species
triacanthos
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (deciduous)
Variety
inermis
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 9
Canadian Hardiness Zone
3 - 10
RHS Hardiness Zone
H7
Temperature (°C)
18 - 21
Temperature (°F)
65 - 70
Height
15 m
Spread
10 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
May
Landscape
Known for its tolerance to polluted urban centres where it can easily adapt to any restrictions and thrive. Some examples include parking lots, along sidewalks and streets.
Cultivation
Full sunlight and alluvial soils.
Shape
Vase-like canopy.
Growth
Medium
ID Characteristic
The Thornless Honeylocust has pinnate fern-like leaves that turn golden yellow in the autumn. Its fruit is a long bean-like pod that are green in colour during their early stages turning brown-black at maturity.
Pests
The Thornless Honeylocust is susceptible to plantbugs, Diaphnocoris chlorionis, leafhoppers and Macropsis fumipennis.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Buds are very small and clustered at nodes; there is no terminal bud.
Leaf Description
Leaves are pinnate and are shiny dark green. They change colour to deep yellow in autumn.
Propagation
Pre-soak in water 24 hours before scarification.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
The pods of Gleditsia triacanthos have been made into a tea for the treatment of indigestion and measels for centuries. A concoction of the bark has been used to create a drinkable mixture to treat dyspepsia. It has also aided in the treatment of whooping cough and small pox. Current development in science examines the leaves as a promising source of anti-cancer compounds.
References
Fowells, H.A. 1965. Silvics of forest trees of the United states. USDA Forest services Ag Handbook #271 Peattie, D.C. 1964. A Natural History of Trees of Eastern and Central North America. 2nd Ed. Bonanza Books. New york, NY. 606pp.
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