Robinia hispida aka Moss Locust

Taxonomy

Genus Robinia Family Fabaceae Order Fabales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Robinia hispida, commonly known as the bristly locust, rose-acacia, or moss locust, is a deciduous shrub native to the southeastern United States. It belongs to the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae. This shrub is also found in other regions of North America as an introduced species. It is often cultivated for its ornamental value but can escape cultivation and grow in the wild. The bristly locust is a suckering shrub with branches covered in stiff hairs. It has pinnate leaves with oval leaflets and produces short racemes of deep rose-pink flowers that are approximately 3cm long. These flowers bloom in late spring and early summer. In the wild, Robinia hispida can spread aggressively through suckering, but in cultivation, it is often grafted onto the roots of R. pseudoacacia for a less invasive plant. It can also be trained or topgrafted to form a small tree. The showy flowers, ranging from rose to pale purple, appear in pendulous racemes that are 2-4" long and bloom in May. The compound pinnate foliage is medium to dark green and consists of 7-15 leaflets. After flowering, the plant may produce bristly, purple seed pods that can reach up to 3" in length. The branches, petioles, flower stalks, and fruits are covered in stiff hairs, hence the common name of bristly locust. This shrub has been reported as a garden escape in certain areas of Missouri. The genus name, Robinia, honors Jean Robin, a gardener from Paris who received new plants from Canada and served as the gardener to Henri IV and Louis XIII of France.

Common names

Moss Locust, Rose Acacia, Bristly Locust

How to care for Moss Locust

Difficulty

Moss Locust requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Moss Locust should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Moss Locust loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Moss Locust requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Moss Locust will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Toxicity

Moss Locust is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The Moss Locust should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

More info:
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More Species in Robinia Genus

Robinia neomexicana New Mexico Locust

Robinia hispida Moss Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia Black Locust