This species is closely related to Gleditsia sinensis, and is perhaps best treated as no more than a synonym for that species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Gleditsia macracantha is a deciduous tree that can grow 15 - 18 metres tall. The trunk is armed with great, branched, terete, very stiff spines[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China.

Habitat

Streamsides and open country at low altitudes[]. Mountain slopes, forests, valleys, near roads; at elevations from 200 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	18.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Gleditsia macracantha is fairly cold-hardy, with older trees being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant. The tree has a habit though, especially when young, of producing new growth until quite late in the season. Especially in areas where the summers are not hot, this new growth will not ripen fully and will be liable to be cut back by the cold in the winter. Older plants tend to lose this habit. Generally, the plant should be considered to only be hardy to about -5°c when young, especially if growing in areas with cooler summers[].
Easily grown in a loamy soil, requiring a sunny position[]. Succeeds in most soils[] including sandy ones[]. Tolerates drought once established[] and atmospheric pollution[].
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.
The flowers have a delightful vanilla fragrance[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Pods 6 to 13 in. long, about 11⁄2 in. wide, blackish and long-persistent[].

Medicinal

Gleditsia sinensis and closely related species are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. All parts of the plant are used, but perhaps the most important are the spines found on the trunk and branches[].
The spines are said to be antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antipruritic, antitumor and cardioprotective[176. 1471]. They are used in the treatment of cancer, acute purulent inflammation, dermatopathies and tonsillitis[, ].
Dried and powdered, the spines are used in the treatment of swellings, especially on the breasts. Either as a powder or in decoction, they are used as a mouthwash for treating abscesses and as a wash for treating ulcers and skin diseases in general[, ].
The spines should not be used by pregnant women since they have a stimulant effect upon the uterus and could induce a miscarriage[, ].

The twigs and the leaves contain the alkaloids gleditschine and stenocarpine[]. Stenocarpine has been used as a local anaesthetic whilst gleditschine causes stupor and loss of reflex activity[].

Agroforestry Uses:

When planted close together and severely pruned, most Gleditsia species form good windbreaks and hedges. With their usually very spiny trunks and branches, the hedge becomes an effective barrier, and with its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, it also enriches the soil[, ].

Other Uses

The pulp inside the seedpods is rich in saponins. It is used as a soap substitute[, , , ].

The wood is strong, hard, heavy, tough, durable, coarse-grained[, ]. It is used locally for fence posts, construction etc[].

Propagation

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.