Pea Family April 24, 2005 Black Locust is in the Pea Family. These trees make a beautiful showing in Roane County along Interstate 40 in early May. Black Locust has small thorns and short (6"-8") pods; Honey Locust has long, wicked thorns and long (8"-18") seed pods. I remember the difference between the two trees by thinking that bees make honey and they have wicked stingers! Black Locust contains poisons in the seeds, bark and leaves, it is poisonous to sheep, horses, cattle, goats, poultry, and people if eaten. Perennial - Tree Where seen: Oak Ridge, Kingston, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP
Pea Family Each flowerhead is made up of many individual flowers, although they are not a composite. When the individual clover flowers are pollinated they turn brownish-pink and drop down like a skirt, indicating that they do not need to be visited again. Note the pollinated flowers in this picture. Perennial Where seen: Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, widespread
This bee is drinking nectar from a single clover flowerlet. The individual flowerlets make nectar to attract the bee. Bees collect nectar and pollen, which are their sources of food. She will take the pollen in her pollen basket back to her hive. Spreading pollen from the flower of one plant to another plant ensures genetic diversity and keeps the plants strong and healthy.
