Caspian Locust
Gleditsia caspica
Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Rounded.
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.
Height (m): 12
Where it is found
Broad-leaved forests in the low montane belt.
W. Asia - N. Iran, Transcaucasia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
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.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The closely related G. sinensis has a saponaceous pulp inside the seed pod that can be used as a soap substitute. It is quite probable that this species can be similarly used. Wood - strong, durable, coarse-grained.
Soap: Plants used directly as a soap substitute.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Rock garden, Specimen. Easily grown in a loamy soil, requiring a sunny position. Succeeds in most soils including sandy ones. Established plants tolerate drought and atmospheric pollution. This species is often confused in cultivation with the closely related G. sinensis, many of the trees grown under that name are this species. 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. Trees have a light canopy, they come into leaf late in the spring and drop their leaves in early autumn making them an excellent top storey tree in a woodland garden. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. 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. Special Features:Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in a greenhouse. 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. 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 6-8
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist