Identifying Trees with Peanut-Looking Seed Pods

Have you ever noticed strange seed pods scattered on the ground and wondered what kind of tree they came from? Many trees produce seed pods that resemble peanuts in appearance. Learning to identify these trees by their seed pods can help satisfy your curiosity.

Some of the most common trees that produce peanut-shaped pods include:

Honey Locust

The honey locust tree (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a fast-growing tree native to central North America. These trees produce long, flattened seed pods that twist as they mature, resembling peanuts in shape. The pods grow 6-14 inches long and turn brown as they dry.

Inside the pods are shiny brown seeds embedded in a sweet pulp Early settlers gave these trees the name “honey locust” because both humans and livestock loved eating the sweet pulp from the pods However, the seeds themselves are toxic to humans when raw.

Honey locusts have compound leaves with tiny leaflets arranged in pairs along the branches. Their bark is gray-brown with deep furrows running vertically up the trunk. Large thorns often grow along the trunk and branches. These trees thrive in various soil types and grow well in city environments making them a common landscape tree.

Kentucky Coffeetree

The Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is a unique tree native to the Midwest and Ontario. It produces enormous seed pods unlike any other tree. The pods grow 5-10 inches long, are flat, leathery, and reddish-brown when ripe.

Inside are several large, olive-green seeds embedded in a sweet pulp. The seeds resemble dark-roasted coffee beans, which led to the tree’s interesting name. However, the seeds are toxic and not edible like coffee beans.

Kentucky coffeetrees have stout twigs with double-compound leaves. The bark is gray and scaly with irregular furrows. These trees grow 50-75 feet tall and thrive in rich, moist soils. Their tropical appearance makes them nice ornamental shade trees.

Fun fact – Kentucky coffeetrees are dioecious, meaning trees are either male or female. Only female trees produce the seed pods.

Carob Tree

Carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua) are an evergreen species native to the Mediterranean region. Their long, thick, leathery pods are a famous source of carob powder and carob syrup. The pods grow 10-20 inches long and contain 10-15 hard brown edible seeds.

When dried, the sweet sticky pulp surrounding the seeds is ground into carob powder, a chocolate substitute. The pods are also harvested when green for carob syrup. Both the pods and seeds are edible and naturally sweet.

Carob trees have glossy leaves divided into oval leaflets. The bark is dark gray and deeply furrowed. Carobs grow 30-40 feet tall and prefer warm climates and sandy, well-drained soil. These trees are also called St. John’s bread and locust beans.

Black Locust

The black locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia) is native to eastern North America. It produces tan, flat seed pods 2-4 inches long containing 4-8 small seeds. The pods hang in clusters and resemble strings of peanuts.

Inside the pods is a cotton-like substance that helps disperse the seeds. The seeds are toxic to humans when raw. However, researchers are studying using the seeds to create biofuels.

Black locusts have compound leaves with oval leaflets. Young twigs have small spines. The bark starts smooth and greenish but becomes furrowed with age. These fast-growing trees prefer full sun and disturbed areas. They spread aggressively and are considered invasive in some regions.

Other Trees with Peanut Pods

A few other trees worldwide produce seed pods that resemble peanuts:

• Chinese honey locust (Gleditsia sinensis) – Native to China, similar pods to honey locust.

• Goldenchain tree (Laburnum anagyroides) – A small ornamental tree with dangling yellow flowers. Native to Europe.

• Lysiloma latisiliquum – A thornless tree native to tropical beaches. Grows in the West Indies and from Mexico to Peru.

• Tipu tree (Tipuana tipu) – An ornamental tree with showy yellow flowers from South America. Naturalized in warm climates worldwide.

As you can see, many common trees produce seed pods that look like peanuts. Pay attention to the pod size, shape, color, and the tree’s leaves and bark to narrow down the exact species. Identifying trees by their seed pods is an informative way to satisfy your curiosity on a walk through the woods or neighborhood.