12 Things You Didn’t Know about the Bristly Locust Tree
The Bristly Locust tree (Robinia hispida) is a species of Robinia native to the southeastern United States, from northern Florida to southern Virginia. It grows in dry, sandy soils and is tolerant of drought and heat.
The flowers are white or pink, borne in racemes up to 30 cm (12 in) long. The fruit is a pod 8-10 cm (3-4 in) long containing 3-8 seeds.
This tree is commonly used as an ornamental plant and has been introduced to Europe, Australia, and South America.
Here are 12 things you might not know about this tree:
1. It is considered invasive in Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
The Bristly Locust Tree was initially introduced as an ornamental tree. However, it proliferates quickly, and it takes over old growth areas in the areas listed above. So, due to its aggressive growth style in areas, it is introduced to, it is considered invasive.
2. All parts of the plant are mildly poisonous.
The Bristly locust contains toxins that can cause vomiting and diarrhea if consumed in large quantities. The bristles on the tree’s leaves and pods can also irritate the skin.
The compounds that make the Bristly Locust Tree poisonous are toxalbumins. These are poisonous to livestock and humans. They cause gastrointestinal issues. Notably, the flowers are the least toxic.
3. It is in the Fabaceae, or Bean family.
The bristly locust produces pea pods, a flowering plant in the Fabaceae family. The family also includes plants like soybeans, alfalfa, clover, and peanuts. All of these plants produce legumes (pea pods).
The bristly locust is in the Robinia genus, which contains about 20 other species of locust trees. Some of these include the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), the false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), and the white locust (Robinia albiflora). All of these trees are native to North America.
4. It can crossbreed with other plants
The bristly locust is closely related to the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). These two species can hybridize and produce a tree that is intermediate in appearance between the two parent species.
5. It was introduced to parts of the US and Europe.
The bristly locust is native to the southeastern United States. It was introduced to Europe and has since been introduced to Australia and South America.
In the United States, it is found in northern Florida, southern Virginia, and parts of the Mississippi Valley. It grows best in dry, sandy soils and is tolerant of drought and heat.
6. It was initially used as an ornamental plant.
The bristly locust tree was initially introduced as an ornamental plant. However, it proliferates quickly and can take over old growth areas in the areas listed above. So, due to its aggressive growth style in places, it is introduced, it is considered invasive.
7. It can reproduce vegetatively via suckers.
This characteristic is one of the things that makes it so invasive. The bristly locust can reproduce vegetatively via root suckers. This means that it can spread quickly and efficiently take over an area. Root suckers are young plants that sprout from the roots of an existing plant. They are clones of the parent plant and have the same genetic makeup.
This ability to reproduce vegetatively is one reason the bristly locust is invasive. It can quickly spread and take over an area, crowding native plants.
8. It is covered in bristles.
Its namesake is from the thousands of bristles that cover its leaves, stems, and pods. The bristles are sharp and can irritate the skin.
The bristles also help to protect the plant from herbivores. They make it difficult for animals to eat the leaves and pods. This allows the plant to survive and propagate.
9. It has fragrant flowers.
One of the appealing characteristics of the bristly locust is its fragrant flowers. The flowers are white or pink and have a sweet fragrance. They bloom in the springtime and are one of the first signs that spring has arrived.
The fragrant flowers are one of the reasons why the bristly locust was initially introduced as an ornamental plant. These flowers add beauty and sweetness to the landscape.
10. It has compound leaves.
The leaves of the bristly locust are compound, meaning they are made up of multiple small leaflets. The number of leaflets can vary from plant to plant, but typically there are between 5 and 9 per leaf.
The leaflets are oval-shaped and have pointed tips. They are arranged alternately along the leaf stem. The leaves are dark green and turn yellow in the fall.
11. It can grow to hardiness zones 4
While native to the Appalachian mountains, the bristly locust can be found in hardiness zones 4 through 9. It can grow in a wide range of climates and conditions.
The bristly locust is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It can grow to be 30 feet tall and wide.
It is also deciduous, and the shrub will lose its leaves in the winter.
The Bristly locust is a fast-growing plant. In just one season, it can grow up to 3 feet. This makes it ideal for quickly filling in empty spaces in the landscape.
12. Uses
The Bristly locust has a few different uses. The tree’s wood is solid and durable, making it suitable for timber. It is also used to construct furniture, cabinets, and flooring.
The wood is also excellent for firewood as it burns hot and long.
How do I get rid of bristly locusts?
If you have bristly locusts on your property and want to get rid of them, there are a few things you can do.
You can cut down the tree and remove the roots. This is the best way to ensure the plant does not return.
What does the bristly locust look like?
The bristly locust is a small to medium-sized tree that can grow up to 30 feet tall. It has a slender trunk and branches covered in sharp, bristly hairs. The leaves are compound, with 5-9 oval-shaped leaflets arranged along the leaf stem. The flowers are white or pink and have a sweet fragrance. They bloom in the springtime. In the fall, the leaves turn yellow.
What is the native range of the bristly locust?
The bristly locust is native to the Appalachian mountains. However, it can now be found in hardiness zones 4 through 9. It can grow in a wide range of climates and conditions.
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