Robinia pseudoacacia
Table of Contents
Common Name: Black Locust
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Tracheophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Order: Fabales |
| Family: Fabaceae |
| Genus: Robinia |
| Species: Robinia pseudoacacia |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
Black locust trees are medium sized trees, growing up to 80 feet tall. Their bark is gray and deeply ridged.
The leaves are alternate and compund. the leaves are between 6 to 12" long and have between 6 to 20 oval, rounded leaflets.
Habitat & Range
Black locust trees live in young forest stands, and can be found in fields or other areas with full sun. Their current range reaches across the eastern United States, although its native range is much smaller, centralized around the Appalachain Mountains. They have been planted intentionally as an ornamental.
Life Cycle
Black locust flowers from May to June. Flowers are white, droop, and are very fragrant.
Featured image by James Dake.
Related
Cercis canadensis
Eastern Redbud
Coronilla varia
Crownvetch
Lotus corniculatus
Bird’s-foot Trefoil