Robinia pseudacacia L. – Family Fabaceae

General Characteristics

 A deciduous tree reaching up to 25 meters in height, with an erect, spiny trunk, a sparse crown, and rough, grayish bark that is fissured. 

The leaves are deciduous, pinnately compound with 8-20 leaflets, up to 40 cm long, with entire margins. 

The flowers, gathered in pendulous racemose inflorescences, are hermaphroditic, zygomorphic, fragrant, with a white papilionaceous corolla, 10 stamens, and a superior ovary. 

The fruits are leathery pods, dehiscent at maturity, up to 10 cm long, containing 4-10 seeds.

USES

It is a highly honey-producing species.

CURIOSITIES

Robin, the herbalist of Henry IV in France, introduced it to Europe in 1601: the species is named after him.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

A wild species native to the northeastern United States, highly invasive. It was widely used in Europe in the late 19th century to stabilize landslides along railway tracks and has now become naturalized.