Leucaena leucocephala

Weißkopfmimose ( Leucaena leucocephala ) pinnate leaves and spherical inflorescences

The Weißkopfmimose ( Leucaena leucocephala ) is a species of the genus Leucaena in the subfamily of the mimosa family ( Mimosaceae ) in the legume family ( Fabaceae ).

Description

Leucaena leucocephala grows as a shrub or tree, reaching heights of growth 3-18 meters. The paired doppeltgefiederten leaves consist of six to eight pairs of leaflets 1st order with eleven to 23 pairs of leaflets that are 8-16 mm long.

It formed small spherical inflorescences with many small white flowers.

It forms a 13 to 20 cm long, brown legume that looks like a thin tamarind; it contains 15 to 30 seeds.

Occurrence

Leucaena leucocephala is native to Mexico and Central America.

The Weißkopfmimose was introduced in Southeast Asia as it is useful for rapid reforestation and the leaves are suitable as animal feed. But outside of their natural range, the species has been found to be invasive plant that forms thickets and displaces native species.

System

Leucaena leucocephala synonyms for ( Lam.) de Wit are for example:. .. . Leucaena glauca Benth, Mimosa glauca L. leucocephala Lam Mimosa, Acacia frondosa Willd, Acacia glauca (L.) Willd, Acacia leucocephala ( Lam.) Link.

Subspecies are:

• Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata (Rose) Zarate
• Leucaena leucocephala subsp. ixtahuacana C.E.Hughes
• Leucaena leucocephala ( Lam.) de Wit subsp. leucocephala

Swell

• Description in the Flora of Pakistan. (English)
• Description in the Western Australian flora. (English)