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Robinia viscosa - Vent.

Common Name Clammy Locust, Hartweg's locust
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry open woodland and hillside scrub to 1200 metres[184].
Range South-eastern N. America - Pennsylvania to Alabama.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Robinia viscosa Clammy Locust, 	Hartweg


www.flickr.com/photos/8583446@N05
Robinia viscosa Clammy Locust, 	Hartweg
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 2

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Robinia viscosa is a deciduous Tree growing to 13 m (42ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

R. glutinosa. Sims.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soil stabilization

Plants produce an extensive suckering root system and can be used for soil stabilization on banks etc[229]. The flowers are a rich source of nectar for bees. Wood - heavy, hard, close-grained[82]. The wood weighs 50lb per cubic foot[235].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any soil, preferring one that is not too rich[1, 200]. Requires a well-drained soil, succeeding on dry barren sites[184, 200]. Plants are tolerant of drought and atmospheric pollution[200]. Plants prefer a position in full sun, though they also tolerate light shade. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c when fully dormant[184]. A fast-growing but short-lived species in the wild[229]. The branches are brittle and very liable to wind damage[200]. When plants are grown in rich soils they produce coarse and rank growth which is even more liable to wind damage[11, 200]. Any pruning should be done in late summer in order to reduce the risk of bleeding[200]. The young branches, seedpods and petioles are covered with dark glandular hairs that exude a clammy sticky substance[82]. Plants sucker freely, especially after coppicing, the suckers have vicious thorns. A very greedy tree, tending to impoverish the soil. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a running thicket former forming a colony from shoots away from the crown spreading indefinitely [1-2]. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface [1-2]. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 48 hours in warm water and sow the seed in late winter in a cold frame[80]. A short stratification improves germination rates and time[80]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the following summer. The seed stores for over 10 years[113]. Suckers taken during the dormant season.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States, North Carolina (west), South Carolina, Tennessee,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Robinia fertilisBristly LocustShrub2.0 4-8 MLMHNDM002
Robinia flava Tree0.0 -  LMHSNDM102
Robinia hispidaBristly locust, Rose-acacia, or Moss locustShrub3.5 4-8 FLMHNDM013
Robinia luxuriansNew Mexico locustTree8.0 4-8  LMHSNDM103
Robinia neomexicanaNew Mexico Locust, Rusby's locust, LocustTree2.0 4-8 MLMHSNDM113
Robinia pseudoacaciaBlack Locust, Yellow LocustTree25.0 4-9 FLMHNDM324

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Vent.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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Subject : Robinia viscosa  
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