"These lethal 20cm thorns cause severe puncture wounds & painful infections." The tree that's still armed against monsters last seen 12,000 years ago
The honey locust tree is known for its massive, sharp thorns that evolved as a defense mechanism against extinct Pleistocene megafauna. Despite the disappearance of these threats, the tree retains its spikes, which can cause painful infections in humans, though its dense wood remains valuable for industrial use.
Why it matters
It highlights evolutionary biology and the persistence of biological traits long after their original environmental pressures have vanished.
The honey locust ( Gleditsia triacanthos ) is also known as thorny locust – and for good reason, because this tree can produce branched clusters of huge spikes, some growing to 20 cm (8 in) long. These spikes are actually modified branches and may even sprout leaves.
The article is a factual, scientific overview of a botanical species with no political or social agenda.
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