Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit
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Description
Leucaena leucocephala is a fast-growing small tree or shrub, usually 5–15 m tall, with a rounded crown and multiple branching stems. The bark is greyish-brown, smooth in young plants and becoming slightly rough with age. Leaves are bipinnately compound, alternate, and feathery, usually 15–25 cm long, consisting of numerous pairs of pinnae bearing many small opposite leaflets. Leaflets are linear-oblong, delicate, and arranged closely along the rachis. Flowers are bisexual, small, creamy-white, and arranged in spherical heads resembling small powder-puffs. Numerous stamens give the inflorescences a fluffy appearance. Fruits are long, flat, narrow pods, usually 10–20 cm long, turning brown at maturity and containing numerous flattened brown seeds.
Diagnostic Characters
Distribution
Native range: Native to Central America, Mexico. Introduced throughout Tropical Asia, Africa, Australia, Pacific regions.
In Pakistan: Commonly planted. Used in Agroforestry, Fuelwood plantations, Soil improvement programs.
Phenology
Ethnobotany & Uses
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Where it grows on campus
Taxonomic Notes
Leucaena leucocephala belongs to the mimosoid lineage of Fabaceae. It is recognized by Fine bipinnate leaves, White globose flower heads, Long flat pods, UniFlora Field Recognition Tip 🌿. Look for 🌳 Small fast-growing tree, 🍃 Very fine feathery leaves.