Plant Details

Gleditsia triacanthos

Honey Locust

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Common names

55 names · 36 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Common Honeylocust[1]
  • Honey Locust[1]
  • Honey Locust Tree[1]
+4 more namesShow fewer names
  • Honeyshuck[1]
  • Sweet Locust[1]
  • thorny locust[1]
  • Three-thorned Acacia[1]
Other languages (35)
Dutch
  • Amerikaanse gleditsia[1]
  • Valse christusdoorn[1]
French
  • Févier d'Amérique
  • févier épineux[1]
Afrikaans
  • Amerikaanse Driedoring[1]
  • driedoring Gleditsia[1]
  • driedoringboom[1]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
  • soetpeulboom[1]
  • soutpeulboom[1]
  • springkaanboom[1]
Alabama
Arabic
  • خروب العسل[1]
  • خروب العسل الشائك[1]
  • خروب شائك[1]
Armenian
  • Գլեդիչիա[1]
Basque
  • arkazia hiruarantza[1]
Bulgarian
  • Гледичия[1]
Catalan
  • acàcia de tres punxes[1]
Cherokee
  • ᎧᎵᏎᏥ[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 美国皂荚[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 美國皂莢[1]
Croatian
Czech
  • dřezovec trojtrnný[1]
Danish
Estonian
  • kolmeastlaline glediitsia[1]
Finnish
  • lännenkolmioka[1]
German
  • Lederhülsenbaum[1]
Hebrew
  • גלדיציה תלת-קוצית[1]
Hungarian
  • Tövises lepényfa[1]
Italian
  • Spino di Giuda[1]
Japanese
  • アメリカサイカチ[1]
Lithuanian
  • Tridyglė gledičija[1]
Mvskoke
Polish
  • Glediczja trójcierniowa[1]
  • iglicznia trójcierniowa[1]
Portuguese
  • Espinheiro-da-Virgínia[1]
Romanian
  • Glădiță[1]
Russian
  • Гледичия трёхколючковая[1]
Serbian
  • Трновац[1]
Slovak
  • gledíčia trojtŕňová[1]
Sotho
Spanish
  • Acacia de tres espinas[1]
  • Acacia negra[1]
Swedish
  • korstörne[1]
Turkish
  • Bal Akasyası[1]
  • Bal Keçiboynuzu[1]
  • Glediçya[1]
Ukrainian
  • Гледичія колюча[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Gleditsia triacanthos — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • honey locust — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Three-thorned Acacia — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Acacia de tres espinas — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • thorny locust — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Espinheiro-da-Virgínia — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • févier épineux — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Spino di Giuda — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Glediczja trójcierniowa — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • dřezovec trojtrnný — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • 美國皂莢 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Lederhülsenbaum — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Acacia negra — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Гледичия трёхколючковая — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • アメリカサイカチ — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Trnovac — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • خروب العسل — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • خروب شائك — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • خروب العسل الشائك — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Honey Locust Tree — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • kolmeastlaline glediitsia — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Amerikaanse Driedoring — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • valse christusdoorn — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Amerikaanse gleditsia — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Tato — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • 美国皂荚 — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Трновац — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Գլեդիչիա — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • acàcia de tres punxes — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • korstörne — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Tretorn — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Glădiță — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Tridyglė gledičija — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • driedoring Gleditsia — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • driedoringboom — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • soetpeulboom — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • soutpeulboom — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • springkaanboom — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Common Honeylocust — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Honeyshuck — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Sweet Locust — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • leoka — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Гледичія колюча — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Tövises lepényfa — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • ᎧᎵᏎᏥ — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • גלדיציה תלת-קוצית — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • kvtohwv — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • iglicznia trójcierniowa — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • lännenkolmioka — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • gledíčia trojtŕňová — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Гледичия — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • arkazia hiruarantza — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Bal Keçiboynuzu — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Glediçya — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Bal Akasyası — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.

General information

Scientific name: Gleditsia triacanthos
Accepted name (Kew): Gleditsia triacanthos L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Fabaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Gleditsia (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Honey Locust
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Tree
Catalogue size class: Large
Height: 18.29–24.38 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 18.29–24.38 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Arching, Rounded, Spreading

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Seed, Seed capsule, Coffee, Sap, Sweetener
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Nitrogen fixer, Gum, Wood, Carbon farming

Description

Seeds can be eaten raw or cooked and can contain up to 30% sugar. Young seeds taste similar to raw peas. In maritime regions, they may not thrive because the tree prefers long, hot summers. The oval seeds are about 8 mm long and contain 10.6-24.1% protein, 0.8-4.3% fat, 84.7% carbohydrates, 21.1% fiber, 4% ash, as well as 280 mg of calcium and 320 mg of phosphorus per 100 g. These seeds are roasted and used as a coffee substitute. The seed pods have flesh that is sweet and can be eaten raw or processed into sugar. Young seed pods can be cooked and eaten, while the pulp in older pods can be bitter. The seed pods can be up to 40 cm long and 4 cm wide. A sweet, pleasant drink can be made from the seed pods, and the pulp of the seed is used to make beverages.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/10
Harvest ends: 31/01

Crown

Crown shape: Broad and flat-topped
Sources [3]
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 800779; name ID 2826451; Gleditsia L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1400038; name ID 2826513; Gleditsia triacanthos L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Gleditsia triacanthos

    Taxonomic data from WCVP-Fabaceae, version 2026, v.7, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2194035, ID 6KH48: Gleditsia triacanthos L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Gleditsia triacanthos — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Crown shapeHeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Crown shape: Description: crown architecture
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 60 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .