Robinia pseudoacacia Health Dictionary

Linn.

Family: Fabaceae.

Habitat: Western Himalayas and Jammu & Kashmir.

English: Locust tree, False Acacia, Robinia, Black Locust.

Action: Leaves—laxative, antispas- modic (an infusion is prescribed in digestive disorders). Flowers— diuretic, antispasmodic.

The bark, leaves and roots contain a toxalbumin, robin (1.6% in the bark), which resembles ricin present in the castor seed. The bark also contains a glucoside robinitin (3%), syringin, tannin (up to about 7.0%). Inner bark contains amygdalin and urease.

The leaves are rich in calcium, phosphorus and potash. The presence of glycosides, acaciin, apigenin-7-bioside, apigenin-7-trioside and indican, have also been reported.

The flowers are powerfully diuretic due to a glycoside, robinin. Flowers also contain l-asparagine.

The roots are rich in asparagine, also contain robin. Root bark, if taken in excess, is emetic and purgative.

The bark and young shoots are poisonous to livestock.