BLACK
LOCUST
(Robinia pseudo-acacia)
Decscription:
Deciduous tree, 80 ft., brown, deeply furrowed bark. Alternate
leaves, compound with 2 spines resembling rose thorns at base
of each leafstalk, 7-19 opposite, oval, smooth-margined leaflets
are 3-4 in. long. Sweet-scented,white flowers hang in dense
drooping clusters. As flowers fade, bean-like pods form, turn
brown, may remain on tree all winter. Naturalized throughout
U.S. in dry woods, along roadsides and a popular street tree.
DEADLY
POISONOUS: Poisoning has occurred after eating seeds, leaves,
young shoots or the inner bark. Children have been poisoned
by sucking on young twigs. Symptoms appear in a few hours. Vomiting,
diarrhea, stupor, depression, coldness or paralysis of the arms
and legs, irregular heart contractions, weak pulse and enlarged
eye pupils. In extremely serious cases, death takes place within
2-3 days.
