Robinia Purple Robe™
Common name: 
Purple Robe Locust
Pronunciation: 
ro-BIN-e-a
Family: 
Fabaceae
Genus: 
Robinia
Synonyms: 
Robinia pseudoacacia 'Purple Robe'
Robinia × ambigua 'Purple Robe'
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous tree, 30-50 ft [9-15 m] tall, ascending, open.  Described as thornless, but some plants offered as Purple Robe have typical R. pseudoacacia thorns.  Leaves, 17-21 leaflets, bronze- red at first then bronze-green in summer.  Flowers large, dark rose-pink, appear before those of the species.
  • Sun  Drought tolerant
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 3      Apparently the result of an intentional cross by William Silva between R. ambigua 'Decaisneana' and R. hispida 'Monument'.   Plant patent (PP2454, now US-PP02454-P) granted in 1964.  The patent states that this tree produces the usual pea pod-type fruit, but no seeds.  I have no verification of this "less invasive" characteristic.  Often sold, incorrectly, as Robinia pseudoacacia 'Purple Robe'.
  • Corvallis:  NE corner of Walnut Blvd. and Kings Blvd. 
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • flower clusters

    flower clusters

  • flowers

    flowers