Gleditsia sinensis

Gleditsia sinensis, commonly known as the Chinese honey locust, is a versatile medicinal plant valued in traditional practices. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, its seeds and bark are often utilized to treat various ailments, including respiratory issues and skin conditions, offering a natural approach to holistic health and wellness.

  • Scientific name: Gleditsia sinensis
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Gleditsia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Gleditsia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Gleditsia sinensis, is recognized by various common names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is widely referred to as 皂荚 (zh), 皂荚 (zh-hans), 皂莢 (zh-hanth), and 皂莢 (zh-hk). In German, the species is called Chinesische Gleditschie (de).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 皂荚 Wikidata
zh-hant 皂莢 Wikidata
zh-hk 皂莢 Wikidata
de Chinesische Gleditschie Wikidata
zh 皂荚 Wikidata
ar غلاديشية صينية Wikidata
lzh 皂莢 Wikidata
zh-cn 皂荚 Wikidata
zh-tw 皂莢 Wikidata
arz غلاديشيه صينيه Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging geographical distribution across various regions of China. It can be found growing within the areas of China South-Central and China Southeast. Additionally, its presence is noted in the northern territory of Manchuria. The species also inhabits the regions of China North-Central. Finally, its range extends into the province of China Qinghai.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China Qinghai WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Pakistan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent West Himalaya WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Gleditsia sinensis, is characterized by several distinct morphological features that are integral to its structure. The stems are often armed with sharp thorns and woody spines, which serve as a natural defense mechanism. While it produces various types of pods, the development of anomalous fruits can sometimes be observed, deviating from the typical symmetrical form. Beyond the external structures, the biological importance of the plant is also found within its reproductive components, specifically the nutritional content located in the seeds endosperm.
Total parts
7
Scientific sources
10
Plant Part Sources Confidence
thorns 3 ★★☆☆☆
anomalous fruits 2 ★☆☆☆☆
stings 1 ★☆☆☆☆
spines 1 ★☆☆☆☆
seeds endosperm 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruits 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Thorn 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Gleditsia sinensis has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gleditsioside I, cyclic AMP, cytokinin, flavonoid, flavonoids.

Total chemicals
26
Scientific sources
27

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
gleditsioside I 2 ★☆☆☆☆
cyclic AMP 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cytokinin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gibberellic-acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gibberellin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gleditsia saponin C' 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gleditsia saponin E' 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gleditsioside F 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Gleditsia sinensis has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include atherosclerosis, cancer, colon cancer, hyperlipidemia, inflammation.

Total uses
8
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
atherosclerosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
colon cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hyperlipidemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malignancies 1 ★☆☆☆☆
obesity 1 ★☆☆☆☆
thrombosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆