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False Acacia

Robinia pseudacacia

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae (Pea)
Also in this family:
Alpine Milk-vetch, Alsike Clover, Birdsfoot, Birdsfoot Clover, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Bithynian Vetch, Bitter Vetch, Black Broom, Black Medick, Bladder Senna, Broad Bean, Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, Bur Medick, Burrowing Clover, Bush Vetch, Clustered Clover, Common Broom, Common Gorse, Common Laburnum, Common Restharrow, Common Vetch, Crimson Clover, Crown Vetch, Dragon's Teeth, Dwarf Gorse, Dyer's Greenweed, Fine-leaved Vetch, Fodder Vetch, Garden Lupin, Garden Pea, Goat's Rue, Grass Vetchling, Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hairy Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hairy Greenweed, Hairy Tare, Hairy Vetchling, Hairy-fruited Broom, Haresfoot Clover, Hop Trefoil, Horseshoe Vetch, Hungarian Vetch, Kidney Vetch, Knotted Clover, Large Trefoil, Lesser Trefoil, Lucerne, Marsh Pea, Meadow Vetchling, Narrow-leaved Bird's-foot Trefoil, Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea, Narrow-leaved Vetch, Nootka Lupin, Norfolk Everlasting Pea, Orange Birdsfoot, Petty Whin, Purple Milk-vetch, Purple Oxytropis, Red Clover, Reversed Clover, Ribbed Melilot, Rough Clover, Russell Lupin, Sainfoin, Scorpion Senna, Scottish Laburnum, Sea Clover, Sea Pea, Sickle Medick, Slender Bird's-foot Trefoil, Slender Tare, Slender Trefoil, Small Melilot, Small Restharrow, Smooth Tare, Spanish Broom, Spanish Gorse, Spiny Restharrow, Spotted Medick, Spring Vetch, Strawberry Clover, Suffocated Clover, Sulphur Clover, Tall Melilot, Toothed Medick, Tree Lupin, Tuberous Pea, Tufted Vetch, Twin-headed Clover, Two-flowered Everlasting Pea, Upright Clover, Upright Vetch, Western Clover, Western Gorse, White Broom, White Clover, White Lupin, White Melilot, Wild Liquorice, Wood Vetch, Yellow Oxytropis, Yellow Vetch, Yellow Vetchling, Zigzag Clover
Type:
Deciduous tree
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
30 metres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, parks, scrub, towns, woodland.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
Cream-white, pea-like flowers. The flowers hang down in a loose spike and are similar in appearance to Laburnum but creamy-white and not yellow.
Fruit:
Brown pea-like pods, up to 4 inches long.
Leaves:
Deciduous. Dark green, pinnate leaves, up to 25cm in length. 3 to 9 pairs of blunt, oval leaflets. Leaflets are untoothed.
Aroma:
Very fragrant flowers.
Other Names:
Black Locust.
Frequency (UK):
Occasionally seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Robinia pseudoacacia, also known as the black locust, is a deciduous tree that is native to the southeastern United States. It is a hardy and adaptable tree that is widely cultivated for its fragrant flowers, attractive bark, and resistance to pests and diseases. The black locust is known for its fast growth rate and can reach heights of up to 80 feet (24 meters). It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and can tolerate drought and other environmental stresses. The tree is often used as a street tree, shade tree, or ornamental tree in gardens. However, it can be invasive in some areas, so it is important to check with local authorities before planting it. The black locust is also known for its medicinal properties and has been used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effects and to determine the safety and effectiveness of using it medicinally.

Blog

False Acacia, also known as Robinia pseudacacia, is a fast-growing tree that is native to the southeastern United States but has been introduced and naturalized in many other parts of the world. It is a member of the pea family and can reach heights of up to 80 feet.

The tree is known for its attractive, delicate, and feathery foliage that turns yellow in the fall. It also produces clusters of white or pink flowers in the spring, which are followed by long, hanging seed pods.

False Acacia is a hardy tree that can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and can even thrive in poor soil. It is also tolerant of drought, making it a good choice for dry areas. However, it does require full sun to thrive.

One of the main benefits of False Acacia is its fast growth rate. It can grow up to 3 feet per year, making it an excellent choice for a quick privacy screen or shade tree. It is also a great option for restoring disturbed or bare areas, as it is able to establish itself quickly and shade out weeds.

Despite its many benefits, False Acacia has some downsides. The tree is known to have invasive tendencies, particularly in wetland areas. It can also be prone to disease and insect infestations, which can damage the tree and reduce its overall health and lifespan.

In conclusion, False Acacia, also known as Robinia pseudacacia, is a fast-growing tree that is native to the southeastern United States but has been introduced and naturalized in many other parts of the world. It is a hardy tree that can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and can even thrive in poor soil. It is also tolerant of drought, making it a good choice for dry areas. However, it does require full sun to thrive. Despite its many benefits, False Acacia has some downsides and it is known to have invasive tendencies, particularly in wetland areas. It can also be prone to disease and insect infestations, which can damage the tree and reduce its overall health and lifespan.


Video

False Acacia filmed in Wigan, Lancashire on the 9th June 2023.

 

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Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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