| Bristly Locust is a fairly common shrub, generally about 1 meter or so tall, that grows natively in North Carolina in the Mountain region and perhaps upper Piedmont, and is persistent from cultivation throughout the state. Though it flowers abundantly, it rarely sets fruit. Carroll Co., VA 5/26/2007.
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| The leaflets are about 2-2.5 x as long as broad. The similar but rare var. fertilis has broader leaflets and set fruit abundantly. The two other varieties of Robinia hispida, var. kelseyi and var. rosea, both of which are rare, have glandular-pubescent or viscous instead of hispid branches. Carroll Co., VA 5/26/2007.
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| The branches are hispid -- densely covered with stout, bristly hairs. Compare with Clammy Locust (Robinia viscosa), which has branches covered with viscid short-stalked glands. Carroll Co., VA 5/26/07.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/26/07.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/26/07.
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| Carroll Co., VA 5/26/07.
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| Unopened inflorescence. Carroll Co., VA 5/26/07.
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| Flower detail. Even the sepals are hispid. Carroll Co., VA 5/26/07.
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| Bark detail. Carroll Co., VA 5/26/07.
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