**Botanical Description and Taxonomy**:
– Black locust is a tree in the pea family, reaching heights of 12-30 meters with an upright posture, straight trunk, and narrow crown.
– The bark is reddish-black with grooves and ridges, and branches are zig-zaggy.
– Leaves are compound with 9-19 leaflets that fold in wet weather.
– Flowers are cream-white, fragrant, and produce nectar, with a typical legume fruit.
– Belongs to the Fabaceae family, subfamily Faboideae, related to peas and beans.
**Distribution and Ecology**:
– Native to the eastern United States, found across all lower 48 states, eastern Canada, and British Columbia.
– Human distribution for landscaping expanded its range to countries like Pakistan, India, Australia, and China.
– Shade-intolerant, typical of young woodlands, spreads by underground shoots, enriches soil through nitrogen-fixing nodules.
– Hosts up to 67 species of lepidoptera, provides cover for various animals.
**Pests, Invasiveness, and Toxicity**:
– Common pests include locust leaf miner, locust borer, and diseases like heart rot and witch’s broom growths.
– Considered invasive in parts of the United States, Australia, and South Africa, dominating open habitats and converting grasslands into forests.
– Bark, leaves, and wood are toxic to humans and livestock due to constituents like robin and robinin.
– Causes various symptoms in horses, requires immediate veterinary attention.
**Cultivation, Usage, and Wood Applications**:
– Easily propagated from roots, softwood, or hardwood, with cultivars like Frisia, Decaisneana, and Purple robe.
– Planted in urban areas for pollution tolerance, used for erosion control, and its highly durable wood.
– Wood is extremely hard, with a Janka hardness test of 1,700 lbf and specific gravity of 0.733, used for furniture, flooring, paneling, fence posts, and small watercraft.
**Cultural Significance, Commercial Value, and External Resources**:
– Historical significance in England and France for decorative inlays in furniture, promoted in Europe to limit tropical wood use.
– Valued for timber but faces challenges from pests and diseases affecting commercial value.
– Various culinary uses and recipes available, including acacia flower recipes and cooking tips.
– External resources include Wikimedia Commons, NatureServe, and Dalian Events and Festivals information for further exploration.