Leaves are alternate, compound and odd-pinnate. Branchlets usually have stipular thorns. Pink to white flowers are borne in showy, pendulous racemes. The fruit is a pod. Species Side buds are usually hidden by the petiole base or subken beneath the leaf scar.
Twigs are glabrous or only slightly hairy.
Leaves are normally pinnately compound with seven to 19 leaflets. Leaflets have entire leaf margins. Flowers are white, very fragrant, and bloom in June. Fruit follows in September. The black locust occurs throughout the state in all soils and moiture conditions except swamps.