Gleditsia caspica
| Gleditsia caspica | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 39' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Gleditsia caspica (common name: caspian locust)
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in a greenhouse[1]. 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[1]. 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.
Cultivation: Easily grown in a loamy soil, requiring a sunny position[2]. Succeeds in most soils[3] including sandy ones[4]. Established plants tolerate drought[5] and atmospheric pollution[3].
This species is often confused in cultivation with the closely related G. sinensis, many of the trees grown under that name are this species[2].
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[2].
Trees have a light canopy, they come into leaf late in the spring and drop their leaves in early autumn[3] making them an excellent top storey tree in a woodland garden.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
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[3].
Range: W. Asia - N. Iran, Transcaucasia.
Habitat: Broad-leaved forests in the low montane belt[6].
Edibility: 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[K].
Usage: The closely related G. sinensis has a saponaceous pulp inside the seed pod that can be used as a soap substitute[2]. It is quite probable that this species can be similarly used[K].
Wood - strong, durable, coarse-grained[7].
Pollinators: Insects
Notes: There are several members of this genus that could be looked at. This species crops well most years at Kew, the only possible problem is that, like all members of the genus, the whole pod falls to the ground and it might be difficult for the chickens to g
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Yakovlev, G. Legumes of Northern Eurasia. Royal Botanic gardens, Kew, 1996.
- ↑ Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.