black locust
Robinia pseudoacacia L.
Description from Invasive.org
- Appearance
- Robinia pseudoacacia is a deciduous tree that, while native to parts of the United States, has spread to and become invasive in other parts of the country. Trees grow from 40-100 ft. (12-30 m) in height. Trees grow upright in forests, but develop an open growth form in more open areas. The bark of black locust is light brown, rough, and becomes very furrowed with age.
- Foliage
- Leaves are pinnately compound with 7-21 small, round leaflets per leaf. Leaflets are 1.5 in. (4 cm) long. A pair of long, stipular spines is found at the base of most leaves.
- Flowers
- Flowering occurs in the spring, when showy, fragrant, white to yellow flowers develop in 8 in. (20.3 cm) long clusters.
- Fruit
- The flowers give way to a smooth, thin seed pod that is 2-4 in. (5.1-10.2 cm) in length.
- Ecological Threat
- Robinia pseudoacacia is native to the Southern Appalachians, the Ozarks, and other portions of the Midsouth, but is considered an invasive species in the prairie and savanna regions of the Midwest where it can dominate and shade those open habitats.
Resources
- Fire Effects Information System - USDA Forest Service
- Silvics of North America - USDA Forest Service
- Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
- Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
Selected Images from Invasive.org
View All Images at Invasive.org
Tree(s) in flower
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s) Clonal Growth
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s)
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s)
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s)
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s) Stipular Spines
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
