sprout

A few local bird species store seeds in cracks in treebark and stone ledges. This sunflower plant is growing from a stone stairway

365 Urban Species. #162: Black Locust

Location: Alley behind apartments near Ringer Playground, Allston.

When I first started to be actively concious of urban nature, I lived near Ringer Playground in Allston. Crossing through this wooded park on my way to work one day, I noticed the air was filled with a sweet smell, like jasmine. The tall trees along the path were heavy with pendulous bunches of white flowers which were emitting the delightful fragrance, so different from the usual scents of the densely populated neighborhood.

Black locust trees bloom impressively but briefly, the fragrance meant to attract the attention of bees. They are native to the Appalachians, but are now found in every contiguous state in the U.S. and have also been introduced to Europe. They are far outnumbered in most cities by their relative honey locust, which has similar foliage made of tiny leaflets. Both trees come in thorny and non-thorny varieties. Black locust grows quickly, and readily reproduces itself through root suckers(whole new trees growing from the root of the parent tree). Stands of such black locust trees spread into cleared areas, and prevent other forms of vegetation from flourishing. It is considered invasive, and is even on the Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List. As of January first of this year, "the sale, trade, purchase, and distribution" of black locust is prohibited.

( Two details, from Ringer Playground )