Robinia pseudoacacia

Black locust is a medium-sized deciduous tree in the pea or Fabaceae family and is native to the southeastern United States, but it has been widely planted and naturalized elsewhere in temperate North America, Europe, Southern Africa and Asia and is considered an invasive species in some areas.

Interesting varieties include: The golden locust (R. pseudoacacia 'Frisia') which has yellowish green leaves all season; corkscrew black locust (R. pseudoacacia 'Tortuosa') with its angled branches; 'Twisty Baby' black locust (R. pseudoacacia 'Lace Lady') with its contorted leaves and branches. Black locust hybrids are also quite common.

The tree can be readily identified by:

• Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, 7 to 19 leaflets. Leaflets are oval, 2.5 cm long.
• Flowers are pea-like, 2.5 cm long, white and pink varieties, in dense drooping racemes 13 cm long.
• Twigs are zigzag; buds are mostly hidden.
• There are 2 unbranched spines about 15mm long beside each bud.
• Seed pods are flat, woody, 8-10 cm long.