Honey Locust Pollen Color, Bloom Season and Bee Forage

Visual guideHoney Locust pollen

Photo: Hannes Wilms · CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Facts

SeasonSpring to Summer

USDA Zone3 - 8

Plant TypeTree

ForagePollen and nectar

Pollen ValueHigh

Nectar ValueLow

Color FamilyOrange and amber

Scientific NameGleditsia triacanthos

Common NamesHoney locust, Thorny locust

Native RegionsCentral and eastern United States

Range StatusNative primarily to central North America and widely planted beyond its native range.

Color ConfidenceModerate

Color MethodA species-level pollen-library record describes the pollen as dark yellow; the digital swatch is approximate.

Reviewed2026-10-11

Quick Answer

Honey Locust pollen is shown in this guide as an orange and amber tone. It is listed as tree, associated with spring to summer bloom timing, USDA zone 3 - 8, and pollen and nectar forage value.

Pollen Color Notes

The visual color shown for Honey Locust is grouped broadly with orange and amber pollen tones. It is intended for comparison and identification support, not as a laboratory measurement.

Pollen color is highly variable. Lighting, pollen age, moisture, collection method, cultivar, and local growing conditions can all change how pollen appears. Use this as general visual guidance, not a scientific color standard or guaranteed field match.

Bloom, Zone, and Forage Context

Honey Locust is listed for spring to summer. The record lists USDA zone 3 - 8; hardiness zones are planning context, not a precise flowering calendar. Approximate bloom months in the supplemental notes: May, June.

Its forage type is pollen and nectar, with pollen value marked as high and nectar value marked as low. Its flowers can supply abundant pollen and some nectar, with use varying by tree sex, cultivar, and local abundance.

Identification Notes

Honey locust is a deciduous tree with finely divided compound leaves, inconspicuous green flower clusters, long twisted pods, and often large branched thorns on wild trees.

Flower color note: Greenish yellow. Flower color and pollen color may differ.

Related by Similar Color

Cedar - Orange and amber Carolina Silverbell - Orange and amber Toadflax - Orange and amber Rough Oxeye - Orange and amber Simpson's Rosinweed - Orange and amber Onion - Orange and amber

Related by Season

Allium - Spring to Summer Almond - Spring to Summer Alsike Clover - Spring to Summer American Bittersweet - Spring to Summer American Persimmon - Spring to Summer Black Gum - Spring to Summer

Related by Plant Type

Alder - Tree Almond - Tree American Basswood - Tree American Persimmon - Tree Apple - Tree Ash - Tree

Related by USDA Zone

Adam's Needle - Zone 4 - 10 Alder - Zone 2 - 7 Allium - Zone 3 - 9 Almond - Zone 4 - 8 Alsike Clover - Zone 3 - 8 American Basswood - Zone 3 - 8

Related by Bee Forage

Adam's Needle - Pollen and nectar Alfalfa - Pollen and nectar Allium - Pollen and nectar Almond - Pollen and nectar Alsike Clover - Pollen and nectar American Basswood - Pollen and nectar

Sources

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
USDA hardiness zone context USDA PLANTS Database
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
scientific name, common name, distribution context, plant classification The Anther's Promise pollen library
The Anther's Promise / reviewed 2026-10-11
pollen color category, bloom period, pollen morphology, bee resource context Selecting Plants for Pollinators regional guides
Pollinator Partnership / reviewed 2026-10-11
North American regional plant selection, native range context, bloom timing, pollinator value Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Foundation contributors / reviewed 2026-07-12
plant image, image credit link