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acacia (locust) [akatsiia]

The various trees and shrubs of the genus Robinia, pea family, Leguminosae, are known as locusts. Native to North America, these legumes bear pinnately compound leaves, fragrant flowers in drooping clusters, and small, flat seed pods. The most important tree species is the black locust, R. pseudoacacia, or false acacia, which is native to the eastern and central United States but has been naturalized in parts of Europe and Asia. Its heavy, hard, and durable lumber is valued for fence posts, insulator pins, and railroad ties. Other species include the clammy locust, R. viscosa, and the New Mexican locust, R. neomexicana.