This small tree grows on the low borders of sloughs and in swamps in a habitat so low that the base is usually more or less submerged during the winter months. It has been found only in Gibson and Knox Counties. It is rare and usually only a single tree is found except in one place in Little Cypress Swamp in Knox County where it is common over an area of half an acre or more.

Much like no. 1 [Gleditsia triacanthos L.]; petioles glabrous; pods elliptic or ovate, 3-5 cm, pointed at both ends, glabrous, with 1(-3) seeds, lacking pulp; 2n=28. Swamps and low woods, mainly along larger rivers, tolerant of flooding; S.C. to Fla. and Tex., n. in the Mississippi Valley to s. Ind. and s. Ill. Apr., May.

Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

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