Acacias and False Acacias 249 



tlic same habit of suckering as the others, hence to be used where this 

 is not an objection. Good for seaside planting on sandy wastes. 



A very large number of nurserymen's varieties, with small variations, 

 especially of the black locust, have their uses. 



Gleditschia. G . triacanthos Linn. (89), Honey Locust (see Robinia), or 

 Three-thorned Acacia, the first name from the sweet yellow pulp of the 

 pods; the second from the long-three-pronged spines which beset trunk 

 and branches; is a medium-sized tree, one of ten species of more south- 

 em distribution, yet very hardy. Very different from the foregoing in 

 outline, spreading in branch habit and often irregular, with inconspicu- 

 ous green flowers and very large broad brown pods, which, together 

 with the stout spines, make it an olDJect of interest in its leafless condi- 

 tion, but also add to its uncleanliness, since the fruit falls little by little 

 for some time. Its foliage, light green turning to clear yellow, with 

 rather shorter leaf period, differs also very much from the former; it 

 is elegant in detail, delicate and open, giving it an even airier aspect 

 than that of the black locust. It has none of the bad habits of the 

 latter, is free from insects, and adaptive to all soils from dry to wet. 

 Light-needing and a rapid grower. 



The variety, inermis (90) without spines, has a somewhat more 

 slender and loose habit. 



Of the true acacias there are several hundred species, found chiefly 

 in Australia, in tropical, sub-tropical, and desert ranges, generally as 

 small trees or shrubs with very small, graceful, feathery foliage, and 

 finely colored, fragrant flowers. The following species is especially use- 

 ful for southern planting: 



Acacia. A. decurrens, Willd. (91), Black Wattle, from Australia, with 

 profuse, fern-like leaves, with long racemes of bright yellow flowers. 



A. pubescens R. Br. (92), the Hairy Wattle, a small spreading tree 

 or shrub, is a very fine ornament with its gracefully cut foliage and 

 abundance of fragrant light yellow flowers, on pendent branchlets, 

 appearing very early in spring. It has been found hardy as far north 

 as Boston. 



Albizzia (Acacia). A. Jidibrissiii Durazz. (93), from Persia, is a 

 specially beautiful, spineless, small tree, the most ornamental of its 

 group and much planted; with exquisite feathery, pinkish flowers in 

 panicles (July) and most graceful foliage; spreading and round-headed 

 in outline. Only half hardy at Philadelphia; needs rich and warm 

 situations. 



