bristly locust USDA PLANTS Symbol: ROHI
U.S. Nativity:
Habit: Hardwood Trees Shrub or Subshrub
Robinia hispida L.
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Fabales: Fabaceae
Native Range: U.S.-southeast (GRIN);
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 from Invasive.orgView All Images at Invasive.org


Plant(s); Robinia hispida; rose acacia
Richard Webb, , Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); foliage
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s);
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Structure; stick; bud
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org 		 


State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.

Invasive Listing Sources:
City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
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