Robinia pseudoacacia
Black Locust
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons Subclass Rosidae Order Fabales Family Fabaceae – Pea family Genus Robinia L. – locust Species Robinia pseudoacacia L. – black locust |
robinia = Jean Robin (1550 - 1629) and
Vesparian Robin (1579 - 1600), herbalists and gardeners for Henry VI of France pseudoacacia = false acacia |
Native to Appalachians and Ozarks
Common Locust Yellow Locust White Locust The name locust tree is attributed to the religious sects that immigrated to North America in the 17th Century. According to the Bible, John the Baptist ate locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4). The "locusts" are believed to have been pods of the Carob tree, a member of the legume or pea family indigenous to the Middle East. Since the Locust tree resembles the Carob tree, its name reflects the biblical reference |
Poison Part:Inner bark, young leaves, seedsPoison Delivery Mode:IngestionSymptoms:Depression, weakness, dilated pupils, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weak pulse, coldness of arms and legs, paleness, and shockEdibility:EDIBLE PARTS: Flowers HARVEST TIME: Only collect flowers from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Soak flowers in warm water for several minutes to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Remove the stems from the flowers. Chop flowers and add to bread dough or to muffin/pancake batter. Whole flowers can be battered and deep fried.Toxic Principle:Robin, a phytotoxin; robitin, a glycoside; robinine, an alkaloidSeverity:TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.
Tree/Shrub
|
Foliage
Leaves
|
Flowers
Racemes
|
Fruit
|