Location: Meadows
In Bloom: May and June

The native range of the honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos, stretches from the Midwest into Maryland. The honey locust is a fast-growing deciduous tree often reaching 70 feet high. It is aggressive and is often considered invasive outside its native range. It is commonly seen in urban environments because it was once used as a replacement for American Elms after the spread of Dutch Elm disease. Although its flowers are tiny, its large seeds feed deer, possums, rabbits and raccoons. It is a host plant for the Silver-spotted Skipper, Epargyreus claus, one of most common butterflies in Maryland.