Difference between Gleditsia sinensis and Gleditsia sinensis

1. Leaf Difference

The leaves of the soapberry thorn are pinnately compound leaves, 10 to 18 cm long, with 3 to 9 pairs of leaflets, papery, ovate-lanceolate or oblong, about 2 to 8.5 cm long and about 1 to 4 cm wide. The tip of the leaves gradually becomes sharp, the base is rounded or cuneate, and the edges have fine serrations.

Sophora flavescens has an even-pinnate compound leaf, 12 to 18 cm long, with 6 to 14 leaflets. The leaf blade is oblong, ovate-lanceolate or oblong, 3 to 8 cm long, 1.5 to 3.5 cm wide, obtuse or gradually pointed at the apex, obliquely rounded or obliquely cuneate at the base, with fine serrations on the edges, and the leaves are glabrous.

2. Flower Differences

The flowers of the soapberry thorn are yellow-white and form racemes. The inflorescences are axillary or terminal, 5 to 14 cm long, and the small flowers are 9 to 10 mm in diameter. There are 4 petals, which are oblong and 4 to 5 mm long.

The soapberry has a raceme inflorescence, the flowers have short stalks, the petals are oval, and the flowers are yellow-green.