Great lead tree
Leucaena pulverulenta

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 18 m tall and spreads 12 m wide. The trunk can be 20-50 cm wide. The leaves are twice divided and are 10-25 cm long. The flowers are white and scented. The fruit are pods. The seeds are narrow and flattened. They are small.

Also as Mimosaceae. It is low in mimosine that affects the use of Leucaena leucocephala.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is more cold hardy than Leucaena leucocephala but still sensitive to cold. It can tolerate high temperatures. It suits hardiness zones 7-12. It can grow in alkaline soils. It often grows along streams and up to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Brazil, Central Africa, Central America, Congo, East Africa, Indonesia, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, South America, Uganda, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit pod is cooked with chili. It is also fermented. The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Barba de chivo, Great leucaena, Guache de Monte, Guaje, Guajillo, Huash, Liliakiwi, Mexican lead tree, Pohon lamtoro, Tepeguaje, Tepehuaje

Synonyms

Acacia pulverulenta Schldl.;