Pollinator plant

Honey Locust

Gleditsia triacanthos

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

59 names · 36 languages
EnglishYour language
+8 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (35)
Dutch
French
  • Févier d'Amérique
  • févier épineux[2][3]
Afrikaans
  • Amerikaanse Driedoring[3]
  • driedoring Gleditsia[3]
  • driedoringboom[3]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
  • soetpeulboom[3]
  • soutpeulboom[3]
  • springkaanboom[3]
Alabama
Arabic
  • خروب العسل[3]
  • خروب العسل الشائك[3]
  • خروب شائك[3]
Armenian
  • Գլեդիչիա[3]
Basque
  • arkazia hiruarantza[3]
Bulgarian
  • Гледичия[3]
Catalan
  • acàcia de tres punxes[3]
Cherokee
  • ᎧᎵᏎᏥ[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 美国皂荚[3]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 美國皂莢[3]
Croatian
Czech
  • dřezovec trojtrnný[3]
Danish
Estonian
  • kolmeastlaline glediitsia[3]
Finnish
  • lännenkolmioka[3]
German
Hebrew
  • גלדיציה תלת-קוצית[3]
Hungarian
  • Tövises lepényfa[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • アメリカサイカチ[3]
Lithuanian
  • Tridyglė gledičija[3]
Mvskoke
Polish
  • Glediczja trójcierniowa[3]
  • iglicznia trójcierniowa[3]
Portuguese
  • Espinheiro-da-Virgínia[2][3]
Romanian
  • Glădiță[3]
Russian
  • Гледичия трёхколючковая[3]
Serbian
  • Трновац[3]
Slovak
  • gledíčia trojtŕňová[3]
Sotho
Spanish
Swedish
  • korstörne[3]
Turkish
  • Bal Akasyası[3]
  • Bal Keçiboynuzu[3]
  • Glediçya[3]
Ukrainian
  • Гледичія колюча[3]
Sources & name notes (3)

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 — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Honey Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Common Honey Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Honey Shucks Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Honeylocust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Sweet Bean Tree — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Sweet Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Thorny Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(7); heading: Common Name(s):; Gleditsia triacanthos.
[2] Gleditsia triacanthos — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • honey locust — results[0].names[1]; 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.
  • Lederhülsenbaum — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Common Honeylocust — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Honey Locust Tree — results[0].names[20]; 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.
  • thorny locust — results[0].names[5]; 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.
  • Acacia negra — results[0].names[13]; 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.
  • Espinheiro-da-Virgínia — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
[3] 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.
  • valse christusdoorn — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Amerikaanse gleditsia — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Lederhülsenbaum — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Common Honeylocust — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Honey Locust Tree — results[0].names[20]; 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.
  • thorny locust — results[0].names[5]; 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.
  • Acacia negra — results[0].names[13]; 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.
  • Espinheiro-da-Virgínia — results[0].names[6]; 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.
  • 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.
  • kolmeastlaline glediitsia — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 54797; Gleditsia triacanthos.
  • Amerikaanse Driedoring — results[0].names[22]; 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.
  • 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.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Gleditsia triacanthos is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Fabaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
18.29–24.38 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
18.29–24.38 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Arching; Rounded; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, moths.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
WC. & E. U.S.A. to Mexico (NW. Nuevo León, Tamaulipas).

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Tree
Size
Large
Dimensions
20.00 m high × 15.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-8
Moisture
Well-drained, Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Seed, Seed capsule, Coffee, Sap, Sweetener
Functions
Nitrogen fixer, Gum, Timber, Carbon farming
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
2 out of 5

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.

Sources and references

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

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Gleditsia triacanthos — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): Fabaceae. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2194035; ID 6KH48; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2194035; ID 6KH48; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Gleditsia triacanthos — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Gleditsia triacanthos — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 1400038; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1407719, 1407720, 1407721, 1407722, 1407723, 1407724, 1407725, 1407726, 1407727, 1407728, 1407729, 1407730, 1407731, 1407732, 1407733, 1407734, 1407735, 1407736, 1407737, 1407738, 1407739, 1407740, 1407741, 1407742, 1407745, 1407746, 1407748, 1407749, 1407750, 1407751, 1407752, 1407753, 1407754, 1407755, 1407756, 1407757, 1407758, 1407759, 1407760, 1407761, 1407762, 1407763, 1407764

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.