Pollinator plant

Black locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

74 names · 40 languages
EnglishYour language
+6 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (39)
Dutch
  • Gewone robina
  • Robinia[2][3]
  • Schijnacacia
+2 more namesShow fewer names
French
Afrikaans
Arabic
  • سنط كاذب[3]
  • شجرة الجراد[3]
Basque
  • Sasiakazia[3]
Belarusian
  • Рабінія псеўдаакацыя, ці Белая акацыя[3]
Bulgarian
  • Бял салкъм[3]
  • Бяла акация[3]
Catalan
  • Acàcia borda[3]
Cherokee
  • ᎧᎶᏇᏗ[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
Czech
  • trnovník akát[3]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik robiinia[3]
Finnish
  • valkovaleakaasia[3]
Galician
  • Falsa acacia[3]
German
Hebrew
  • רוביניה בת השיטה[3]
Hungarian
  • Fehér akác[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • トゲナシニセアカシア[3]
  • ニセアカシア[3]
  • ハリエンジュ[3]
Korean
  • 아까시나무[3]
Latvian
  • Baltā robīnija[3]
Lithuanian
  • Baltažiedė robinija[3]
Mono
  • tüttona'abü[3]
Mvskoke
Norwegian
Polish
  • grochodrzew akacjowy[3]
  • robinia akacjowa[3]
  • robinia biała[3]
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
  • Белая акация[3]
  • Робиния лжеакация[3]
  • Робиния ложноакациевая[3]
Serbian
Slovak
  • agát biely[3]
Slovenian
  • navadna robinija[3]
  • Robinija[3]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • Beyaz Salkımlı Sanki Akasya[3]
  • Beyaz çiçekli yalancı akasya[3]
Ukrainian
  • Біла Акація[3]
  • Робінія звичайна[3]
  • Робінія псевдоакація[3]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Robinia pseudoacacia — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Black Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • False Acacia — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Common Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Green Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Pea Flower Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • White Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Yellow Locust — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(7); heading: Common Name(s):; Robinia pseudoacacia.
[2] Robinia pseudoacacia — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • black locust — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • False Acacia — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • robinia — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • valse acacia — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Robinier faux-acacia — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Falsche Akazie — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Gewöhnliche Robinie — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Scheinakazie — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • green locust — results[0].names[64]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • locust — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • purple robe locust — results[0].names[62]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • white locust — results[0].names[63]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Yellow Locust — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Acacia blanca — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Acacia falsa — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Robinia — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • witte acacia — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Acácia-bastarda — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Falsa acácia — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Robínia — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
[3] Robinia pseudoacacia — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • black locust — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • False Acacia — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • robinia — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • valse acacia — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Robinier faux-acacia — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Falsche Akazie — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Gewöhnliche Robinie — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Scheinakazie — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • green locust — results[0].names[64]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • locust — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • purple robe locust — results[0].names[62]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • white locust — results[0].names[63]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Yellow Locust — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Acacia blanca — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Acacia falsa — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Robinia — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • witte acacia — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Acácia-bastarda — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Falsa acácia — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Robínia — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • valkovaleakaasia — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Acàcia borda — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • ニセアカシア — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • 아까시나무 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • ハリエンジュ — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Robinija — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • robinia akacjowa — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • grochodrzew akacjowy — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • robinia biała — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • trnovník akát — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Robinie — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • 刺槐 — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Робиния лжеакация — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Робиния ложноакациевая — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • robinia — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Бял салкъм — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Бяла акация — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Baltažiedė robinija — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Белая акация — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • سنط كاذب — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • شجرة الجراد — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • agát biely — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Bagrem — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • トゲナシニセアカシア — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • robinia — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • falsk akacia — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • harilik robiinia — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • 刺槐 — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Sasiakazia — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Salcâm — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Робінія звичайна — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Рабінія псеўдаакацыя, ці Белая акацыя — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Witakasia — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Falsa acacia — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • vals-akasia — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • רוביניה בת השיטה — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • navadna robinija — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Fehér akác — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Beyaz çiçekli yalancı akasya — results[0].names[57]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Baltā robīnija — results[0].names[58]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • 洋槐 — results[0].names[59]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Біла Акація — results[0].names[60]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Робінія псевдоакація — results[0].names[61]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • ᎧᎶᏇᏗ — results[0].names[65]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Beyaz Salkımlı Sanki Akasya — results[0].names[66]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • cvhahtv — results[0].names[67]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • eccvhahtv — results[0].names[68]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Багрем — results[0].names[69]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • Bagrem — results[0].names[70]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
  • tüttona'abü — results[0].names[71]; taxon id 56088; Robinia pseudoacacia.
[4] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • false acacia — Page 4, column 2, row top 577 pt; common-name cell after Robinia pseudoacacia.; Robinia pseudoacacia.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Robinia pseudoacacia is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Fabaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
15.24–15.24 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
6.1–10.67 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect; Oval; Rounded

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Robinia pseudoacacia in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Native range
EC. & E. U.S.A.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

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.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Robinia pseudoacacia — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): Fabaceae. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1152292; ID 4T7YV; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1152292; ID 4T7YV; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Robinia pseudoacacia — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 4, column 2, entry Robinia pseudoacacia (top 577 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Robinia pseudoacacia — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 158076; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 872655, 872658, 872665, 872669, 872670, 872672, 872674, 872675, 872676, 872677

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.