Features of the Clammy locust (Robinia viscosa Michx. ex Vent.)'s naturalization into semi-natural and cultivated phytocenoses as potential sources of its raw materials

Robinia viscosa, whose natural habitat is localized in North America, is used mainly as an ornamental plant species and for the restoration of degraded areas. Among the metabolites found in the Clammy locust's glandular trichomes, there is a significant content of mucus and pectins [2]. Therefore, it should be considered also a potential medicinal plant with antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

The field experiment method was used. R. viscosa specimens were planted in semi-natural and cultivated phytocenoses in the north of Ukraine (plant resistance zone 5a: from -28.9°C to -26.1°C).

R. viscosa demonstrated a high degree of drought resistance in conditions of moisture deficit and high temperatures (up to +42°С), as well as a high degree of winter and frost resistance (tolerating temperatures as low as -28°С). It did not demonstrate the ability to reproduce through seeds. In the conditions of the cultivated phytocenosis, it had the ability to grow intensively due to root shoots: one 5–7-year-old R. viscosa plant produced 13±4 root sprouts per growing season at a distance of 1–8 m from the mother plant.

A. Konarska [1] notes that R. viscosa is a valuable melliferous species. Its nectar productivity is 1000 kg or more from 1 ha (according to oral reports from Ukrainian beekeepers). R. viscosa blooms after R. pseudoacacia L., which extends the period of a good honey harvest until September. In light of this, places where the Clammy locust is naturalized in the north of Ukraine should be considered potential sources of R. viscosa's raw materials.

References

1. Konarska, A. Microstructure of floral nectaries in Robinia viscosa var. hartwigii (Papilionoideae, Fabaceae) – valuable but little-known melliferous plant. Protoplasma 2020, 257 (2), 421. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-019-01453-4

2. Konarska, A.; Łotocka, B. Glandular trichomes of Robinia viscosa Vent. var. hartwigii (Koehne) Ashe (Faboideae, Fabaceae)-morphology, histochemistry and ultrastructure. Planta, 2020, 252(6), 102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-020-03513-z