Robinia pseudoacacia L., family Leguminosae False Acacia, Black Locust, Yellow Locust.
Deciduous tree, native to eastern and mid-western United States, cultivated for ornament in eastern states and throughout Europe, and naturalised in south-western Europe. Common in city streets and parks. Height to 25m (80ft), often forming thickets by suckering. Flowers have a sweet fragrance and open in June in clusters 10-20cm (4-8in)long. Fruit pods are 5-10cm (2-4in) long containing kidney-shaped seeds. Leaves are about l5-20cm (6-8in) long and usually have 13-15 rounded leaflets, each with a notched and spined tip. Bark is dark brown and deeply furrowed with a network of ridges. Twigs bear short stout spines.
R. pseudoacacia cv. 'Frisia'. A cultivated variety with golden-yellow leaves.