‘Purple Robe’ Black Locust produces 4” pendant racemes of lavender purple fragrant flowers in May and June. The actual flowers are pea-shaped, and like other members of the pea family (Fabaceae), Robinia ‘Purple Robe’ is very adaptable because of its nitrogen-fixing abilities. The pinnate leaves emerge a somewhat bronzy red in spring, rapidly maturing to green. Like other Black Locusts, ‘Purple Robe’ can produce suckers which should be removed. Introduced by William E. Silva in 1964.