(Gleditsia triacanthos)
Family: Fabaceae

Description
Large, spiny tree with open, flattened crown of spreading branches. Height is 80 ft. (24 m). Diameter is 2.5 in. (0.8 m). Leaves are pinnately and bipinnately compound. They are 4–8 in. (10–20 cm) long, shiny dark green above and dull yellow-green beneath. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. Bark is gray-brown or black and fissured in long narrow scaly ridges. Flowers are 0.38 in. (10 mm) wide, bell-shaped with five petals. They are located in short narrow clusters at leaf bases in late spring. Fruit is 6–16 in. (15–41 cm) long and 0.25 in. (3 cm) wide. They are dark brown, slightly curved and twisted flat pods. Fruit is dropped unopened in late autumn.

Habitat
Moist soils of river flood plains in mixed forests. Sometimes located on dry upland limestone hills and waste places. Non-native to New Mexico.

Discussion
The honey-like, sweet pulp of the seed pods are consumed by livestock and wildlife. This hardy species is popular for shade, hedges and attracting wildlife.