Myriad Botanical Gardens - Oklahoma City, USA

Common name: Black Locust

Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Distribution: North America

Life form: Tree

Comments: This remarkable tree's ability to capture and fix its own nitrogen in the soil allows it to grow astoundingly fast, up to four feet a season. The black locust can act as a “nutrition bank” sharing its nitrogen with other plants and trees around it. They are an excellent source for pollen and nectar for pollinators.
Large clusters of fragrant, drooping, pea-like flowers emerge in late spring with dramatic effect. The tree is well-adapted to many different soil types including dry soils.