Interactions

What sort of relationships does the black locust share with other organisms?

Steven J. Baskauf, 2003
Bioimages

Black Locust BlossomsRobinia pseudoacacia shares many different relationships with a variety of organisms!  One such example is the mutualistic association it can have with certain fungi classified under the phylum Glomeromycota.  A mutualistic relationship is a relationship which is beneficial to both organisms involved.  This phylum of fungi is known to have intimate relationships with the roots of plants.  Thanks to the fungi, plants get extra nutrients from the soil.  In return, the fungi receive sugars from the plants.
                          Steven J. Baskauf, 2003. Bioimages
Black Locust with Blossoms

As I mentioned on my Habitat page, Robinia pseudoacacia is a primary producer in the forest ecosystem.  Other organisms like insects can be found munching on the leaves of the tree. Mammals that are herbivores, meaning that they only consume plants and no meat, may also consume parts of the tree like the leaves.  Eat too much of these structures, however, and an organism may become poisoned due to the toxins I described on my Adaptations page.

 

 

Read on to my Fun Facts page to learn a few more odds and ends about Robinia pseudoacacia!

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 Banner Photo Credit: Steven J. Baskauf, 2002. From Bioimages