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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Gleditsia japonica is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 6. 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: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Synonyms
G. horrida. non Salisb.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves; Seed.
Edible Uses:
Seed - cooked. The seed is roasted, dehusked, soaked until soft then boiled and eaten with sugar[179]. The seed contains 22.4% protein and 2.8% fat[218]. Young leaves - cooked[105]. A famine food used when all else fails[177].
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.
Antitussive; Astringent; Expectorant; Haemostatic; Skin; VD.
Antitussive, astringent, expectorant, haemostatic, skin[174]. Treats syphilitic skin diseases[174].
Other Uses
Soap.
A soap is obtained from the pulp contained in the seedpods[11, 46, 61, 174]. It is obtained from the seed according to another report[105]. Wood - strong, durable, coarse-grained[82].
Cultivation details
Easily grown in a loamy soil, requiring a sunny position[11]. Succeeds in most soils[200]. Tolerates drought once established[1] and atmospheric pollution[200]. A rather tender plant, especially when young, it is seen at its best in southern Britain[11]. Older trees, however, are completely hardy in Britain[11]. Trees at Kew produced lots of pods and fertile seeds in the hot summer of 1989, they also fruited well in the cool summer of 1993 and also in 1994, 95 and 96[K]. Trees are cultivated for their seedpods in Japan[61]. 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 canopy tree for 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].
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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
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 it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Expert comment
Author
Miq.
Botanical References
1158200
Links / References
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