In his experiments involving plant movement, he demonstrated the influence that climatic factors had upon plant organs. Also, his view on the role that insects play in pollination of plants was considered to be ahead of its time.[2]
The botanical genus Gleditsia (family Fabaceae) is named in his honor,[3] as is the botanical journal Gleditschia.[4] In Berlin-Schöneberg, a thoroughfare called Gleditschstraße bears his name.
Selected works
"Consideratio Epicriseos Siegesbeckianae in Linnaei Systema Plantorum Sexuale Et Methodum Botanicam Huic Superstructam", 1740 – dissertation in which Gleditsch recognized the importance of the Linnean System.
"Methodus Fungorum", 1753.
"Systema plantarum a staminum situ Systema plantarum a staminum situ", 1764.
Systematische Einleitung in die neuere, aus ihren eigenthümlichen physikalisch-ökonomischen Gründen hergeleitete Forstwissenschaft (two volumes, 1775) – Systematic introduction to the newly (due to unique physical-economic reasons) derived forestry.[2]