Gledicia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Gleditsia (lat. Gleditsia) - a genus of trees in the legume family. The genus has 15 species. The homeland of Gleditsia is considered to be Asia, Africa and North America. The genus got its name in honor of the German physician and botanist Gottlieb Gledich. Currently, the culture is cultivated in many parts of the world, including Russia.

Common types and their characteristics

* Gleditsia prickly, or common gleditsia (lat. Gleditsia triacanthos) - the species is represented by fast-growing trees up to 25 m high with an asymmetric spreading crown reaching 8-10 m in diameter. With age, the crown acquires an umbrella-shaped shape. The trunk is covered with narrow flaking scales over the entire surface. The bark of the trunk is black or dark brown. Shoots are slightly curved, red-brown at a young age, eventually becoming grayish or olive-brown in color. Branched or simple thorns form on the branches of trees as they grow.

* Caspian Gleditsia (lat. Gleditsia caspica) - the species is represented by medium-sized trees or tall shrubs covered with a large number of branched thorns, the length of which varies from 15 to 20 cm. The leaves are large, pinnate, consist of 12-20 leaves. The flowers are greenish, collected in racemose inflorescences. The fruit is a pod. In terms of external characteristics, the species is similar to Japanese Gleditsia.

* Japanese Gleditsia, or Gleditsia awesome (lat. Gleditsia japonica) - the species is represented by deciduous trees up to 25 m high. Rather strong spines up to 25-30 cm long are formed on the branches and trunk. The leaves are dark green, paired, alternate, consist of 10 -24 pairs of lanceolate or oblong-ovate leaflets. The flowers are small, yellowish-green, fragrant, collected in dense racemose inflorescences that form from the leaf axils.

Growing conditions

Gladicia is an undemanding culture, it accepts any location. It is undemanding to soil conditions, accepts saline, clay, sandy, loamy, acidic and alkaline soils. Plants are distinguished by increased drought-resistant and frost-resistant properties. The location is preferably sunny or semi-shaded.

Reproduction

Gledichia is propagated mainly by seeds. Seeds remain viable for 2-3 years. Seeds are sown either in early spring or in autumn under cover. The seeds are pre-soaked in warm water. With the appearance of 2-3 true leaves on the shoots, dive into separate containers. Young plants are planted in a permanent place after 2-3 years. Often, Gleditsia is propagated by root suckers and pneumatic shoots. It is not forbidden to reproduce decorative forms by grafting.

Usage

Gleditsia is distinguished by increased decorative characteristics. It is perfect for landscaping parks, gardens, alleys and squares. Plants are ideal for creating hedges and field plantings. Gleditsia is an excellent honey plant, in addition, it has a number of medicinal properties. The wood of the culture is used as a construction ornamental material.

Gleditsia fruits are sweet and fleshy, they are suitable for livestock. Also, the fruits are used as a substitute for coffee. In folk medicine, the fruits are of no less value. They are rich in vitamins, mucous and tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids. Decoctions of the leaves are useful for chronic gastritis, stomach ulcers and inflammation of the gallbladder.