False acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia, Sp. Pl.: 722 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 722 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Robinia

Vegetable: False

Observations: EC. & E. U.S.A.

Description

False acacia, known scientifically as Robinia pseudoacacia, is a noteworthy member of the Fabaceae family. This species was first documented in the authoritative botanical tome “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the illustrious botanist Carl Linnaeus, whose work is often abbreviated as ‘L.’

Native to the eastern and central regions of the United States, the False acacia has become widely recognized both for its ecological adaptability and its utilitarian applications. It is known for its distinctive pinnate leaves and pendulous clusters of fragrant white flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. This deciduous tree, often referred to as the Black locust, can grow up to 25 meters tall, creating a stunning display and offering substantial shade.

The bark is gray to dark brown, deeply furrowed, and ruggedly textured, adding a layer of visual interest and resilience to adverse weather conditions. The thorny branches, however, require careful handling during pruning or when selecting a planting location.

False acacia plays a crucial role in its ecosystem by enhancing soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, a characteristic trait of legumes. This makes it a valuable asset for improving soil quality and supporting adjacent plant communities. Additionally, its robust root system aids in soil stabilization, making it an excellent choice for erosion control.

In horticultural and agricultural settings, Robinia pseudoacacia has been employed as a windbreak, in reforestation efforts, and for ornamental purposes. The wood of False acacia is notably hard, durable, and resistant to rot, making it highly desirable for posts, furniture, and flooring.

However, caution should be observed as the tree can become invasive outside of its native range, often forming dense thickets that outcompete local vegetation. Its seeds, which are housed in leguminous pods, can spread readily, contributing to its classification in some regions as an invasive species.

In summary, the False acacia is a species of intrigue and utility, revered for its aesthetic blossoms and practical wood, while also posing ecological challenges where it spreads unchecked. Renowned for its resilience and ecological benefits within its native habitat, it remains a subject of interest for both its advantageous and problematic characteristics.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig robinie, robinie
Lit: baltažiedė robinija
Eng: black locust, false acacia, false-acacia, locust tree, yellow locust, locust
Ita: falsa acacia, robinia
Deu: falsche akazie, gewöhnliche robinie, gewöhnliche scheinakazie, robinie, scheinakazie
Nld: gewone robinia, robinia
Pol: robinia akacjowa
Heb: robinia bat-ha’shita, רוביניה בת השיטה
Fra: robinier faux acacia, robinier faux-acacia, robinier, acacia
Mlt: robinja
Ron: salcam
Spa: acacia bastarda, acacia blanca, acacia de bola, acàcia falsa, aromo blanco, falsa acacia, mamachocho, pan y quesillos, robinia
Por: acácia-bastarda, acácia-da-terra, acácia-de-flores-brancaas, falsa-acácia, robínia
Ces: agát biely, trnovník akát
Lav: balt
Hun: fehér akác
Ell: psevdakakia, ropinia
Nob: robinia
Swe: robinia, falsk akasia, vanlig robinia
Nno: robinia
Cat: robínia, falsa acàcia
Afr: witakasia
Cym: coeg-acasia, coeg-acasiâu, ffug-acesia
En: False acacia, Black locust, Acacia (U.K.), Common locust, Black locust tree, Sâlcâmu, Locust tree, False-acacia, Yellow locust, Locust, Common Acacia, Lotus Tree
Af: Witakasia, Vals akasia
Ar: روبينية سنطية
Hy: Սպիտակ ակացիա
Az: Ağ akasiya
Eu: Sasiakazia
Be: Белая акацыя
Bs: Bagrem
Bg: Бяла акация, Салкъм
Ca: Acàcia borda, Robínia, Robínia, falsa acàcia, Acàcia, Falsa Acàcia
Zh: Ci huai, 刺槐, 洋槐
Hr: Bagrem, Agacija
Cs: Trnovník akát, Trnovník bílý, Agát biely
Da: Almindelig Robinie, Robinie, Uægte Akacie
Nl: Gewone robinia, Pseudoacacia, Robinia, Valse acacia, Witte acacia
Eo: Blanka robinio, Ŝajnakacia robinio
Et: Harilik robiinia
Fi: Valeakaasia, Valkovaleakaasia
Fr: Robinier, Faux-acacia, “Robinier faux-acacia, Carouge”, Faux acacia, Robinier faux-acacia, Robinier faux acacia, Acacia, Carouge
Gl: Acacia bastarda, Falsa acacia
Ka: Ცრუაკაცია
De: Robinie, “Falsche Akazie, Robinie”, Falsche Akazie, Gemeine Robinie, Gemeiner Schotendorn, Gewöhnliche Robinie, Scheinakazie, Silberregen, Weiße Robinie, Gewöhnliche Scheinakazie
El: Ακακία, Ροβίνια η ψευδοακακία, Ψευδοακακία, Psevdakakia, Ropinia
He: רוביניה בת-השיטה, Robinia bat-ha’shita, רוביניה בת השיטה, רוביניה בת-שיטה
Hu: Fehér akác
Is: Róbinía
Ga: Acaicia bréige
It: Robinia, Gaggia), Robinia (Acacia, Maruga, Robinie, Falsa Acacia, Acacia spinosa, Gaggia
Ko: Akasianamu, 아까시 나무, 아까시나무, 아카시나무, 아카시아나무
Lv: Baltā robīnija, Balt
Lt: Baltažiedė Robinija
Mk: Багрем
Ml: റോബിനിയ സ്യൂഡോക്കേഷിയ
Mt: Robinja
No: Black locust, Falsk akasie, Storrobinia
Nb: Robinia
Nn: Robinia
Oc: Acacià, Cacièr
Fa: اقاقیای سیاه
Pl: Grochodrzew biały, Robinia akacjowa, Robinia biała, Robinia pseudacacia, Robinia pseudoakacja
Pt: Acácia bastarda, Acácia-bastarda, Acácia-da-terra, Acácia-de-flores-brancaas, Falsa-acácia, Robínia
Ro: Robinia pseudacacia, Salcâm, Salcîm, Salcam
Ru: Белая акация, Лжеакация, Робиния лжеакация, Робиния обыкновенная, Робиния псевдоакация, Робиния-лжеакация
Sc: Acacia
Sr: Багрем
Sk: Agát biely
Es: Robinia, Falsa acacia, Navadna robinija, Navadna robinja, Neprava akacija, Acacia bastarda, Acacia blanca, Acacia blanquera, Acacia de bola, Acacia de dos púas, Acacia de flor, Acacia espinosa, Acacia falsa, Alcacia, Alcacias, Alcasia, Alcazia, Algarrobo, Arcacia, Arcazia, Escasia, Llorones, Mamachocho, Pampanitos, Pan y quesico, Pan y quesillo, Pan y quesillos, Pan y quesito, Pan y queso, Siete sayos, Sopitas, Acàcia falsa, Aromo blanco, Acacia, Robinia común
Sv: Robinia, Falsk akasia, Vanlig robinia
Zh-tw: 刺槐
Tg: Ақоқиё
Tt: Ак сәрви агачы
Zh-hant: 刺槐
Tr: Beyaz çiçekli yalancı akasya, Beyaz çiçekli yalancıakasya
Uk: Акація біла, Біла акація, Робінія звичайна, Робінія псевдоакація
Vi: Dương hoè, Dương hòe
Cy: Coeg-acasia, Coeg-Acasiâu, Ffug-Acesia

Synonyms

• Robinia pendulina (Sweet)
• Robinia pseudoacacia subsp. tortuosa ((Hoffmanns.) Arcang.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. atropurpurea (Dippel)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. rectissima (Raber)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. tortuosa (DC.)
• Robinia pyramidalis (Verl.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia monophylla-pendula (Dieck)
• Robinia procera (Lodd. ex G.Don)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. umbraculifera ((DC.) DC.)
• Robinia inermis fastigiata-aureovariegata (Jacob-Makoy)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. crispa (DC.)
• Robinia echinata (Mill.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. inermis ((DC.) Rehder)
• Robinia bullata (K.Koch)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. semperflorens (Carrière)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. unifoliata ((Talou) Rehder)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. linearis (G.Kirchn.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. pyramidalis ((Pépin) Rehder)
• Robinia stricta (Hoffmanns.)
• Robinia patula (Verl.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. frisia (W.Jansen ex Geerinck)
• Pseudo-acacia vulgaris (Medik.)
• Pseudacacia vulgaris (Tourn. ex Greene)
• Robinia bessoniana (K.Koch)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. dependens (Rehder)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. amorphifolia (Loudon)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. rozynskiana (Späth ex C.K.Schneid.)
• Robinia sophorifolia (Besser)
• Robinia crispa (K.Koch)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. myrtifolia (K.Koch ex C.K.Schneid.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. bessoniana (G.Nicholson)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. coluteoides (Neumann)
• Robinia pseudoacacia subsp. umbraculifera ((Loudon) Arcang.)
• Robinia linearis (K.Koch)
• Robinia myrtifolia (G.Nicholson)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. umbraculifera ((DC.) Rehder)
• Robinia fragilis (Salisb.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. monophylla (Carrière)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. vulgaris (Lej.)
• Robinia monophyllus (K.Koch)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. pendula ((Ortega) Loudon)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. unifoliata (Talou)
• Robinia acacia (L.)
• Robinia fastigiata (Verl.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. aurea (G.Kirchn.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. semperflorens ((Carrière) Voss)
• Robinia jaspidea (Verl.)
• Robinia dissecta (Verl.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. myrtifolia ((K.Koch ex C.K.Schneid.) Rehder)
• Robinia microphylla (Loudon)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. stricta ((Loudon) Rehder)
• Robinia umbraculifera (DC.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. ulriciana (Reut. ex Hartwig)
• Robinia pinnata (Steud.)
• Robinia aurea (K.Koch)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. monophylla-pendula ((Dieck) Voss)
• Robinia cylindrica (K.Koch)
• Robinia cornigera (K.Koch)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. bessoniana ((G.Nicholson) Voss)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. amorphifolia ((Loudon) Rehder)
• Robinia pseudoacacia subsp. crispa ((DC.) Arcang.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. aurea ((G.Kirchn.) Rehder)
• Robinia inermis var. rehderi (Ed.Otto)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. oswaldiae (Oswald)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. coluteoides ((Neumann) Rehder)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. angustifolia (Lej.)
• Robinia latisiliqua (Verl.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. pendulifolia (G.Kirchn.)
• Pseudacacia odorata (Moench)
• Robinia undulata (K.Koch)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. erecta (Rehder)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. dissecta (Mottet)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. decaisneana ((Carrière) Voss)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. crispa ((DC.) Rehder)
• Aeschynomene pseudoacacia (Roxb. ex DC.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. monophylla-pendula ((Dieck) Hartwig)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. ulriciana ((Reut. ex Hartwig) Rehder)
• Robinia angulata (K.Koch)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. microphylla ((Lodd. ex Loudon) Rehder)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. tortuosa ((DC.) Rehder)
• Robinia ludoviciana (Raf.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. purpurea (Dippel)
• Robinia pseudoacacia subsp. inermis ((Jacq.) Arcang.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. rehderi ((Ed.Otto) C.K.Schneid.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. inermis (DC.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. pyramidalis ((Pépin) C.K.Schneid.)
• Robinia tortuosa (Hoffmanns.)
• Robinia pringlei (Rose)
• Robinia spectabilis (Dum.Cours.)
• Robinia uterhartii (Rousselon)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. stricta (Loudon)
• Robinia inermis pendula (Paul)
• Robinia pseudoacacia monophylla-fastigiata (Dieck)
• Robinia edwardsiifolia (Verl.)
• Robinia camusetii (Leroy ex K.Koch)
• Robinia inermis (Jacq.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. decaisneana (Carrière)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. dissecta ((Mottet) Rehder)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. linearis ((G.Kirchn.) Rehder)
• Robinia pendula (Ortega)
• Robinia decaisneana (Verl.)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. sophorifolia (Lodd. ex Loudon)
• Robinia amorphifolia (K.Koch)
• Robinia pseudoacacia pyramidalis (Pépin)
• Robinia pseudoacacia var. microphylla (Lodd. ex Loudon)
• Robinia coluteoides (K.Koch)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. rozynskiana ((Späth ex C.K.Schneid.) Rehder)
• Robinia pseudoacacia f. pendula (C.K.Schneid.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Albania (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Inner Mongolia (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Kuril Is. (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Qinghai (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Dec 10, 2021 by Pozzan Dario (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 23, 2022 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 13, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by David Ochoa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2020 by Nicolas Koehnlein (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 10, 2019 by Witter-Taubenhofer Wolfgang (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2019 by Navas García Susana Navas García (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2018 by nauruan (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2017 by bonks (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 15, 2021 by aparicio Floren (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2019 by Vojtěch Polák (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2017 by francis serre (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2017 by bonks (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 30, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2021 by Jean-René Girardeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 6, 2022 by SoRi Roe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 8, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 8, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30034699-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5352251)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Robinia pseudoacacia L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Multiple Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.2

Ph minimum: 4.6

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 8