Bristly Locust

Robinia hispida

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Robinia
Species:
Robinia hispida

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
8-12 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
apr, may, jun, jul
Bloom Colors:
Red, Pink
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Nova Scotia, Ontario

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Filatima pseudacaciella, Io moth (Automeris io), locust leafminer (Phyllonorycter robiniella), locust leafminer (Parectopa robiniella), Nephopterix subcaesiella, oak leafminer (Chrysaster ostensackenella), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
prefers open woodlands and rocky slopes

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: None required

Establishment: Plants can be found on dry, well-drained, moist, sunny or shaded areas. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, plants were found on ridges of cliffs on fairly dry soils. Bristly locust is found throughout most of the continental United States, except for Idaho, Montana, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Nevada and Arizona.

Source: npn.rngr.net