The black locust, also known as false acacia, is a very interesting tree simply because of its origin and the resulting appearance. With its white flowers in early summer, it delights gardeners and walkers in public parks. Among other things, numerous cultivated forms with exceptional growth are available. But although the deciduous tree is very beautiful to look at, its branches have sharp thorns. In addition, almost all components of the plant are highly toxic. Find out more about the extraordinary tree, which is now also widespread in Europe, in the following profile.
The false acacia originally comes from North America
General
- German name: common robinia
- other names: false acacia, false acacia, white robinia, common pod thorn, silver rain
- Latin name: Robinia
- Tree species: deciduous tree, butterfly bloomer
- Subgenus: Faboideae (legumes)
- maximum age: up to 200 years
- Use: as a park or garden tree
- Special features: highly toxic, hardy, changes the nitrogen content of the soil through symbiosis
habit
growth
- maximum height: 20 m (in closed stands up to 30 m)
- short stem
- tends to form double crowns
- round, umbrella-like crown
leaves
- late leaf sprouting (end of May)
- Length of leaves: 15-30 cm
- alternating arrangement
- 19 single leaves on a petiole
- imparipinnate
- Leaves hang down in high heat
- Color of the top of the leaf: rich green
- Color of the underside of the leaf: grey-green
- Stipules are transformed into thorns
- deciduous
- Autumn colour: bright yellow
- Shape of leaves: ovate
- sawn leaf edge
blossoms
- Color of the flowers: white (rarely pink) with reddish peduncles
- produce a lot of nectar
- 30 cm inflorescences
- Flowering period: May-June
- monoecious
- smell intensely of bergamot
- pollination by insects
bark
- most poisonous part of the plant
- grey-brown
- deep fissures
root
- form symbiosis with nitrogen bacteria
- Shallow or deep rooters
Happen
- on the northern hemisphere
- Country of origin: North America
- Distribution: by humans
- in mixed deciduous forests
- at altitudes up to 1600 m
- sunny locations
- Soil pH: slightly acidic, alkaline
- grows on sandy and clay soils
use of the wood
- Characteristics of the wood: strong, flexible, robust
- great importance for the economy
- shipbuilding
- Furniture
- exterior architecture
- children's toys
- resistant to rotting
- garden furniture
- Mining
- Tree serves as bee pasture
- honey is extracted from the flowers
- complex processing
- unpleasant smell
pests and diseases
- Robinia leaf miner
- Phloespora leaf spot disease
- aphids