Vascular Plants of North Carolina
Section: Common Name: Scientific Name: Family:
Account for Common Bristly Locust - Robinia hispida var. hispida   L.
Members of Fabaceae:
Members of Robinia with account distribution info or public map:
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Section 6 » Order Fabales » Family Fabaceae
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AuthorL.
DistributionNearly statewide, but of spotty occurrence in the eastern and central Coastal Plain and much of the Piedmont.

"Probably originally endemic to the Southern Appalachians (and perhaps adjacent provinces) of NC, SC, GA, TN, and VA, now widely distributed in e. North America as an escape from cultivation" (Weakley 2022).
AbundanceLocally fairly common in the Mountains, but mostly rare to uncommon eastward. Typically occurs in dense stands, quite conspicuous when in bloom, but only widely present over the landscape. This is the only variety of the full species that is not on the NCNHP's Significantly Rare or Watch Lists.
Habitat"Woodlands and forests, and as an escape in disturbed areas and roadsides." (Weakley 2022).
PhenologyBlooms in May and June, and fruits later in the season.
IdentificationSee Weakley (2022).
Taxonomic CommentsWhen several other members of this complex (e.g., kelseyi and rosea) were considered as full species, this variety was considered as a good species -- R. hispida.

Other Common Name(s)Bristly Locust
State RankS3 [S4]
Global RankG4T4
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