Herb: Water Locust


Latin name: Gleditsia aquatica


Family: Leguminosae



Description of the plant:



Plant:
Deciduous
Tree

Height:
12 m
(39 feet)

Flowering:
July to
August

Habitat of Water Locust:

Rich lands of river valleys that are subject to inundation, often for a considerable part of the year.

Other uses of the herb:

Having an extensive root system, it is planted for stabilizing wet banks and marshes. Wood - heavy, very hard, strong, durable in contact with the soil, coarse-grained. It weighs 46lb per cubic foot. The wood is extremely durable and is used primarily for making fence posts.

Propagation of Water Locust:

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.

Cultivation of the herb:

Rich lands of river valleys that are subject to inundation, often for a considerable part of the year.

Medicinal use of Water Locust:

None known

Known hazards of Gleditsia aquatica:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.