October, 2002 JB
October, 2002 KB
April, 2003
October, 2002 JB
October, 2002 KB
Leaf: Alternate, both
singly and doubly pinnately compound on the same tree; 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20
cm) long, with many leaflets;
leaflets oblong to oblong-ovate, rounded or slightly pointed at the tip, rounded
at the slightly asymmetrical base, finely wavy edges that are toothless or minutely toothed;
smooth except for some hairs along the veins; numerous paired leaflets 1/2 to 1
1/4 inches (1.2 to 3.2 cm) long, about
half as wide; shiny dark green above, dull yellow-green beneath.
Flower: Some flowers with both stamens and pistils, others with only one or the other (if separate male and female flowers, usually on separate twigs or separate trees), in elongated clusters up to 4 inches long growing at leaf bases, greenish or greenish-yellow; individual flowers bell-shaped with 5 spreading petals, covered with fine hairs, 1/4 inch (6 mm) wide, appearing in May and June.
Fruit: Flat, pointed, elliptical pods, 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) broad; borne several in a drooping cluster; shiny chestnut brown, smooth; usually with 1 flattened, rounded, brown seed; thin papery walls, no pulp; maturing in late summer, opening late, shedding in autumn.
Twig: Slender, gray or brown, smooth; usually unbranched thorns; leaf scars alternate, more or less 3-lobed, with 3 bundle traces.
Bark: Dark gray or dark brown; thin, smooth, shallowly fissured into small scaly plates; with large, shiny, branched spines.
Form: Small to medium, spiny tree to 60 feet tall; short, stout trunk of diameter up to 2 feet (0.6 m); crown widely but irregularly spreading.
Discussion
Few uses were discussed for this species, but they may be used as fence posts and coarse construction.
The tree contributes little food value to wildlife.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The short, 1- or 2-seeded legume pod without pulp differentiates this locust from the honey locust.
Distribution
North Carolina across to southern Missouri, south to Texas, east to Florida.
Images
Click each small picture to see a larger image.
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April, 2003 |
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Location
N 39.26773° W -89.88924°
Southeast side of the fitness trail at Loveless
Park, South Locuts Street, Carlinville, Macoupin County, IL.
Copyright
Photos © 2002 Jackie Bates and Katie Bennett, Carlinville High School, linke@carlinvilleschools.net
References
Robert H. Mohlenbrock, Forest Trees of Illinois, 1996, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
George A. Petrides, Eastern Trees, 1988, Houghton Mifflin Company.
Elbert L. Little, Field Guide to Trees: Eastern Region, 1980, Alfred A. Knopf.
Elbert L. Little, Field Guide to Trees: Western Region, 1980, Alfred A. Knopf.
North Carolina State University, Department of Botany, Herbarium
http://ceres.cals.ncsu.edu/wetland/library/speciesNEW.cfm?s_id=47¤tpage=6
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School