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Plant Profile  
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Common Name: Black Locust

Other Names: False Acacia, Post Locust, Yellow Locust, Locust Tree

Species Name: Robinipseudoacaciaia

Plant Type: Woody

Family Name: Fabaceae, Pea Family

 

 

 

 

Plant Facts  
Origin North America
Sun Preference Full Sun
Duration Perennial
Susceptibility None Serious
Distribution in the U.S. Throughout the country

 

 

ID Characteristics

  • Field Identification Characteristics

    Vegetative

    • Zigzag twigs with short, stout spines
    • Compound leaves with oval to elongated oval leaflets
    • Gray, deeply furrowed bark

    Floral

    • Brown, papery bean pods
    • White to cream legume-type flowers
  • Leaf and Stem Characteristics
    • Plant Height: 60-foot diameter, 80-foot height
    • Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound, 6-14 inches long; 7-19 leaflets elliptic or ovate, 1-2 inches long
    • Leaf Blade Edge: Entire
    • Growth form: Tree 
  • Floral Characteristics
    • Petal Number: 5
    • Flower Color: White or cream
    • Flower Timing: May-June
    • Fruit Type: Legumes

 

 

Habitat/Ecology  
Soil Type Adapted to most soil conditions; prefers clay, loam and sandy soils
USDA Cold Hardiness Zone
Habitat Windbreaks, shelterbelts, woodlots, as ornamental, dense groves of spindly trees due to root sprouting 
Notes Fixes nitrogen; messy; seeds and bark are poisonous
Successional Stage Mid

 

 

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