Gleditsia

Honey locust tree

The Gleditschien ( Gleditsia ), also called leather sleeve trees, are a genus of flowering plants of the legume family ( Fabaceae ). They are native to the temperate and subtropical regions of North and South America and in parts of temperate and sub-tropical Asia and tropical Africa. The genus name honors the German botanist Johann Gottlieb Gleditsch. The genus consists of 12 to 14 species. Gleditschien prefer locations in full sun and grow best in nutrient- rich soil.

Description

Gleditsia species grow as deciduous trees, which are characterized by a wide sweeping shape. So you are similar to the locust, which they are, however, not closely related. Most Gleditschien species bear strong simple or branched spines on the trunk and the branches. As with the locust and the leaves are pinnate Gleditschien the single or double; they are constantly changing. The stipules are small.

The flowers are in racemose, zymösen or frets then inflorescences with bracts. The inconspicuous flowers are hermaphrodite or unisexual and three to fünfzählig. The three to five sepals are fused. The three to five ( for Schmetterlingsblütler rather uncommon ) almost identically shaped, small petals are greenish or whitish. The six to ten stamens are free. In a male flower ovary is rudimentary or absent. Fertile ovaries contain many up only two ovules. The stylus is short.

Much more striking, however, are the large, pendulous legumes, which have led to the name " Honeylocust ". They contain a sweet, edible pulp.

System

Synonyms for Gleditsia L. are: Gamwellia Baker, Garugandra Griseb, Gleditschia Scop.. The genus belongs to the tribe Gleditsia Caesalpinieae in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae within the Fabaceae family.

The genus Gleditsia contains 12 to 14 species ( selection):

  • Gleditsia aquatica Marshall
  • Gleditsia australis Hemsl.
  • Caspian honey locust ( Gleditsia caspica Desf. )
  • Gleditsia fera ( Lour. ) Merr.
  • Japanese honey locust ( Gleditsia japonica Miq. )
  • Gleditsia macracantha Desf.
  • Gleditsia microphylla Gordon ex Y.T.Lee
  • Gleditsia rolfei Vidal
  • Chinese honey locust ( Gleditsia sinensis Lam. )
  • American Honey locust ( Gleditsia triacanthos L.)

There are hybrids (selection):

  • Gleditsia × texana coffin. ( from G. triacanthos × G. aquatica )

No longer belongs to the genus:

  • Gleditsia africana Welw. ex Benth. ⇒ Erythrophleum africanum ( Welw. ex Benth. ) Harms

Swell

  • SI Ali: Caesalpiniaceae in the Flora of Pakistan: Gleditsia - Online.
  • Entry in GRIN.
Rosids Ovary (botany)
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