Acacias and False Acacias 24.9 
the 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.irzacanthos 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- 
ern 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 object 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. Julibrissin 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. 
