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Robinia fertilis - Ashe.

Common Name Bristly Locust
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry woodland and hillside scrub.
Range South-eastern N. America.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Robinia fertilis Bristly Locust


USDA Plant Database
Robinia fertilis Bristly Locust
USDA Plant Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Robinia fertilis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft 7in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

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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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Soil stabilization

Plants produce an extensive suckering root system and can be used for soil stabilization on banks etc.

Special Uses

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[200]. Plants are tolerant of drought and atmospheric pollution[200]. 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]. Plants sucker freely, the suckers have vicious thorns. Any pruning should be done in late summer in order to reduce the risk of bleeding[200]. Hardy to at least -20°c. This species is very closely allied to R. hispida and scarcely merits specific rank. 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].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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 remains viable for over 10 years in normal storage[113]. Suckers taken during the dormant season.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 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
Robinia viscosaClammy Locust, Hartweg's locustTree13.0 3-7 MLMHSNDM003

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.

 

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Botanical References

Links / References

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Subject : Robinia fertilis  
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