ROBINIA, a genus of trees and shrubs of the natural order leguminosm, suborder papilionacew, having a 4-fid calyx. with the upper segment divided into two; stamens, nine united, and one free: the pod long and many-seeded. The species are widely dif fused over the world. The most important is a North American tree, sometimes called the locust tree (q.v.), also known as the false acacia, or thorn acacia, often simply desig, noted acacia. It was raised from seed in France by John Robin, about the year 1600', And gradually spread over the warmer parts of Europe and the s. of Siberia. On account of its thick growth, its spines, and its property of submitting to be clipped into any form, it is very suitable for hedges. In the s. of Europe, it succeeds well as IL timber tree, but in more northern regions, it suffers from frost in severe winters; and•n Britain it cften suffers from frost, to the imperfect ripening of the wood in sum mer. The wood is compact, hard, and takes a fine polish; for many purposes, it is scarcely inferior to oak, which it rivals in toughness and strength. It does not readily
rot in water, and is used for ship-building. The tree is very ornamental, and of rapid, growth. It is found wild in abundance from the Alleghenies to the Rocky mountains. Its leaves are pinnate, with 9 to 13 thin and smooth leaflets. The flowers are fragrant. and white, in large pendulous racemes. The roots throw up many suckers; and are very sweet, affording an extract resembling licorice. An agreeable syrup is also made from the flowers.—R. viscosa is a smaller tree, but even more ornamental, a native of the south-western parts of the Allegheny mountains. It has rose-colored scentless flowers. The young branches are viscid.—The ROSE ACACIA (R. hispida) is a native of the south western ranges of the Alleghanies, and is a highly ornamental shrub, with hispid, branches, and large rose-colored scentless flowers.—R. Curagana is a native of the s.e. of Europe, and is planted for hedges at St. Petersburg, where it spreads like an indigenous plant.