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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Rounded.

Physical Characteristics

Gleditsia caspica is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft 4in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

The seed of several species can be eaten raw or cooked. This species often crops well in this country and so some research into its potential edibility would be desirable[K].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soap

The closely related G. sinensis has a saponaceous pulp inside the seed pod that can be used as a soap substitute[11]. It is quite probable that this species can be similarly used[K]. Wood - strong, durable, coarse-grained[82].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Rock garden, Specimen. Easily grown in a loamy soil, requiring a sunny position[11]. Succeeds in most soils[200] including sandy ones[188]. Established plants tolerate drought[1] and atmospheric pollution[200]. This species is often confused in cultivation with the closely related G. sinensis, many of the trees grown under that name are this species[11]. This tree is remarkable for the number and length of the spines growing on its trunk, which makes it the most formidably armed of temperate trees[11]. Trees have a light canopy, they come into leaf late in the spring and drop their leaves in early autumn[200] making them an excellent top storey tree in a woodland garden. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Special Features:Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in a greenhouse[78]. The seed should have swollen up, in which case it can be sown, if it has not swollen then soak it for another 24 hours in warm water. If this does not work then file away some of the seed coat but be careful not to damage the embryo[78]. Further soaking should then cause the seed to swell. One it has swollen, the seed should germinate within 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual deep pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Gleditsia aquatica	Water Locust	Tree	12.0	5-9	S	LMH	N	MWe	0	0	3
Gleditsia japonica		Tree	20.0	5-9	M	LMH	N	DM	3	1	3
Gleditsia koraiensis	Korean Honey Locust	Tree	20.0	-		LMH	N	DM	2	2	2
Gleditsia macracantha		Tree	18.0	5-9	M	LMH	N	DM	0	1	2
Gleditsia sinensis	Locust	Tree	12.0	8-9	M	LMH	N	DM	3	3	2
Gleditsia triacanthos	Honey Locust	Tree	20.0	4-8	M	LMH	N	DM	3	2	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Gleditsia caspica - Desf.