Robinia Purple Robe™
Common name: 
Purple Robe Locust
Pronunciation: 
ro-BIN-e-a
Family: 
Fabaceae
Genus: 
Robinia
Synonyms: 
Robinia pseudoacacia '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) granted in 1964.  Often sold as Robinia pseudoacacia  'Purple Robe'.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • flower clusters

    flower clusters

  • flowers

    flowers