bristly locust
(Robinia hispida L.)

Overview

Appearance

Robinia hispida is a deciduous shrub, to 8 ft. The multiple stems are erect and covered with dense bristles. Caution: All parts of this plant are poisonous. It is native to the southeastern United States.

Foliage

The alternate, pinnately compound leaves have 7 - 19 leaflets about 1.5-2 in. long. They are densely hairy with smooth edges. Most leaves have a pair of long spines at their base.

Flowers

The dark to light pink pea like flowers are clustered in the leaf axils. The flowers bloom from May through June.

Fruit

The thin seed pods are 2-4 in. long and densely covered with bristly hairs.

Ecological Threat

Robinia hispida was planted for erosion control and can be found in disturbed areas such as old fields and along roadsides. It prefers full sun.

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
• John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
• New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
• Reichard, Sarah. 1994.  Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
• Wisconsin Noxious Weeds
• Wisconsin's Invasive species rule – NR 40

References