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Caspian Locust leaflets are 1-1/2 to 2 inches long,
large for a locust species
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The Fabaceae are herbs,
vines, shrubs, trees, and lianas found in
both temperate and tropical areas. They
comprise one of the largest families of
flowering plants, numbering 630 genera and
18,000 species. The leaves are stipulate,
nearly always alternate, and range from
bipinnately or palmately compound to simple.
The petiole base is commonly enlarged into a
pulvinus that commonly functions in
orientation of the leaves (sometimes very
responsively, as in the sensitive plant,
Mimosa pudica). The flowers are usually
bisexual, actinomorphic to zygomorphic,
slightly to strongly perigynous, and
commonly in racemes, spikes, or heads. The
perianth commonly consists of a calyx and
corolla of 5 segments each. The androecium
consists of commonly 1- many stamens (most
commonly 10), distinct or variously united,
sometimes some of them reduced to
staminodes. The pistil is simple, often
stipitate, comprising a single style and
stigma, and a superior ovary with one locule
containing 2-many marginal ovules. The fruit
is usually a legume, sometimes a samara,
loment, follicle, indehiscent pod, achene,
drupe, or berry. The seeds often have a hard
coat with hourglass-shaped cells, and
sometimes bear a u-shaped line called a
pleurogram.
The native thorny locust species is found on
both sides of the Mississippi
River from Nebraska to Texas and from
Pennsylvania to Alabama. Fence rows and
pastures are common locations. |
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This Caspian Locust tree was started from a cutting 16
years ago.
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Summer: The pinnately
compound leaves (one large stem with many
small leaflets) allow filtered sunlight,
making an attractive canopy that is
practical for growing grass or other plants
below.
Fall: Color in the fall is variable but is
usually a shade of yellow and can be very
nice. The large seedpods ripen and become a
maintenance consideration for most of the
fall and winter months. Wildlife cherishes
the sweet pods from which the tree gets its
name. The thorny specimen (Gleditsia
triacanthos) from which this variety arose
is one of the thorniest trees found. Thorns
can protrude directly from the trunk and be
a foot or more in length. Crews have been
busy two decades at the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign taking down
diseased honeylocust trees that were once
planted to replace the declining American
elms.
The native thorny locust species is found in
Illinois, on either side of the Mississippi
River from Nebraska to Texas and from
Pennsylvania to Alabama. Fence rows and
pastures are common locations. |
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Being a member of the bean family, the Caspian Locust is
related to the
Kentucky Coffee Tree,
and the vine Wisteria, among others.
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Healthy, attractive trees
add interest, pleasure, and value to
landscapes. Some factors to keep in mind as
you select a tree relate to your projected
planting site and some factors relate to
you. Healthy plants, growing under
conditions that suit them, are marvelously
engineered to deal with minor incidence of
heat, cold, drought, storm damage, pests,
and disease. Sometimes we unknowingly stress
them, reducing their ability to stay
healthy.
Trees provide cover: Birds and small animals need concealed places for nesting and hiding from predators. The presence of wildlife can make your backyard or woodlot a special place for your family and children. As urban sprawl displaces many birds and animals from their natural habitat, it becomes even more important for home and landowners to provide green space and mini-sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife.
Trees provide food: Having a wide variety of
trees that provide seeds, nuts and fruit for
wildlife to eat is one way to increase your
success in attracting wildlife. although
artificial bird feeders can supplement
naturally occurring foods, they can attract
unwanted pests such as pigeons, Canada
geese, squirrels, and even rats. Trees also
provide food by attracting insects and
providing cover for their activities;
mating, egg-laying. Insects form a huge
portion of the warm-weather food supply for
many species of songbirds.
And, most important in this age of man-made
global warming, trees sequester large
amounts of carbon dioxide.
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