Gleditsia triacanthos, Honey LocustThanks for reading Judson Carroll, Master Herbalist! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This tree is also mentioned under Black Locust, but is a different tree. Honey Locust is naturalized in my region. It is a tall and stately tree, that produces pods full of a sweet and nutritious pulp. It is very similar to carob, and these trees are the “pods” eaten by the prodigal son and the “wild locusts” that sustained John the Baptist in the Bible. Honey Locust is an extremely useful food tree and an often-overlooked source of natural sugar for beer brewing.
The natural honey locust in Kentucky in the wild is covered on the trunk an limbs with multiple thorns from one foot long to one and half foot. The honey locust in yards, cities, and parks without thorns are hybrid versions. I don’t know how effective the would be medicinally.
My understanding is that those bred not to have thorns have similar medicinal properties. Would think the wild ones would be stronger though, because "unimproved" plants generally are.
While they are in the same family, they are very different. The Fabaceae and Legumes are extremely diverse. Some are edible and some are poisonous. Even among the mimosas and acacias, you have to know the specifics because some can be used to produce DMT. Honey locust and black locust are very different. Regardless, all are very useful plants!
I did buy some Mimosa fronds in vinegar once, but found them too fibrous...still. though, as I have one I would try to preserve it if it is food or medicine in any way....hunger is the best sauce as they say....Oregon
The natural honey locust in Kentucky in the wild is covered on the trunk an limbs with multiple thorns from one foot long to one and half foot. The honey locust in yards, cities, and parks without thorns are hybrid versions. I don’t know how effective the would be medicinally.
My understanding is that those bred not to have thorns have similar medicinal properties. Would think the wild ones would be stronger though, because "unimproved" plants generally are.
How would you relate this to the tree Mimosa?
The dried pods are bigger but essentially the same,
and the wood like a pea related plant, fibrous not
much useable. A bee attractant.
While they are in the same family, they are very different. The Fabaceae and Legumes are extremely diverse. Some are edible and some are poisonous. Even among the mimosas and acacias, you have to know the specifics because some can be used to produce DMT. Honey locust and black locust are very different. Regardless, all are very useful plants!
I did buy some Mimosa fronds in vinegar once, but found them too fibrous...still. though, as I have one I would try to preserve it if it is food or medicine in any way....hunger is the best sauce as they say....Oregon
Interesting - I have never heard it used as a condiment.
Korean speacialty store, made me respect the tree more. best
I will have to check that out - thanks!