Honey bees
Nectar value
High
Pollen value
High
Pollinator plant
Black locust, false acacia
Robinia pseudoacacia
Linked agroforestry plant data
Pollinator recipe
Bee value
Who this plant supports
Agroforestry database
Complete plant information
Structure
- Vegetation layer
- Tree
- Size
- Large
- Dimensions
- 25.00 m high × 15.00 m wide
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Site conditions
- USDA hardiness
- 4-9
- Moisture
- Well-drained, Moist
- Soil
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Light
- Sun
Uses
- Edible parts
- Leaves, Flowers, Seasoning, Oil, Sap, Seed, Seed capsule
- Functions
- Nitrogen fixer, Dye, Fibre, Oil, Timber, Pollinator plant, Carbon farming, Fragrant
- Edibility
- 3 out of 5
- Medicinal value
- 2 out of 5
The cooked seeds of this plant are oily and can be eaten like peas. After cooking, the seeds lose their sour taste. They are about 4 mm long and grow in pods up to 10 cm long with 4-8 seeds. Nutritional information is available. The pods can also be cooked, with the sweet pulp being safe to eat and popular among children. Note: the information in this report may be confusing and could relate to the honey locust tree (Gleditsia spp.). The skin of the fruit can be used to make a strong and intoxicating drink, and piperonal can be extracted for use as a vanilla substitute. Further details are lacking. The flowers of this plant can be cooked and have a fragrant aroma that can be used for jam, pancakes, and drinks. Be aware of the possible toxicity of this plant, as described in the warning at the top of the page.