Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is not listed in Haliburton Flora, as it’s another southern Ontario native. And even there it is rare. The tree has rather nefarious looking clusters of large thorns. And memorable large, brown boomerang shaped seed pods.
Where I grew up, quite a ways south of Ontario, honey locust had filled a whole disturbed acre or so of our 13 acres. It was a thorny maze. It is theorized the thorns were protection from the American Mastodon and other tree nibblers from the last ice age.
Similar looking trees in our province include black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus).
Edible Uses of Honey Locust
Honey locust is yet another tree in the bean family. In Autumn, some folks soak the seeds and then boil them same as store bought beans.
The pulp in the ripe pod is sweet and edible, but it may irritate some folks throats and will likely have a bitter aftertaste. It tastes like a mixture of honey and castor oil. It’s used to make craft beer and other drinks.
Medicinal Uses of Honey Locust
Honey locust is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Digestive
- Integumentary
- Respiratory
Medicinal tags include Antiseptic and Astringent. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage is a pod tea for indigestion and other typical astringent uses.
Alternative Uses of Thorny Locust
The large thorns can be uses as nails and pins.
Growing Gleditsia Triacanthos
Native to some southern regions of Ontario, it grows best in full sun. It also prefers moist or well-drained soils with loam or clay.
Another native or near native tree related to honey locust is Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus). The honey locust moth (Syssphinx bicolor) caterpillar hosts on either! In fact, several moths caterpillars will feed on them. And the flowers will be visited by bees and flies for both nectar and pollen. Despite all those thorns, many fauna will forage on honey locust.
The young trees can be pruned into particularity unforgiving hedges. Sometimes I feel like wrapping my acre in thorn trees and brambles, and maybe hawthorn.
WARNINGS
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.
3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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REFERENCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/honey_locust.html
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