There Are Thorns, And Then There Are THORNS

The arid and semi-arid regions of west and south Texas are most commonly associated with thorny plants, but the Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) of the East Texas woodlands have thorns unmatched for their size, complexity and magnificent thorniness:

Bexar County is on the western edge of the Honey Locust's native range. The USDA Plants Database indicates these trees are becoming a remnant population in Karnes, Bexar, Medina and Edwards Counties. As remnant populations, they are becoming increasingly separated from larger populations further to the east.

Honey Locust seed pods are of a size proportional to the size of the thorns. They typically grow up to a foot long. The pulp in the ripening pods between the seeds is very sweet, containing up to 30% sugar. These were an important food for Native Americans. Native Americans also used the thorns as tips for fishing spears.

This set of photographs was taken along the Yanaguana Nature Trail at Mission San Juan in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park on Monday, October 28, 2013.

This is the fourth in a multi-post series. Part 1 is here, Part 2 here and Part 3 here.