Hairy stem lead tree
Leucaena trichandra

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It can be 2 m tall or up to 18 m tall. The trunk can be 50 cm across. The leaves are twice divided with 11-20 pairs of pinnae and leaflets 4-7 mm long. The flower heads are 7-10 mm across. The fruit are pods 7-11 cm long by 13-23 mm wide. The seeds are 3-4 mm wide.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows as an understorey trees in mid altitudes. It grows between 200-2,500 m above sea level. It is best in places where the average temperature is 17-22°C and an average rainfall of 1,000-1,800 mm per year.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Belize, Central Africa, Central America, Congo, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, SE Asia, Tanzania, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, pods, seeds, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds can have a hard seed coat and should then be put in warm water and soaked for 12-24 hours.

Its other names

Local names

Lobadaviyia, Quebracho, Shashi, Tze, Vainillo

Synonyms

Acacia trichandra Zucc.; Leucaena diversifolia (Schldl.) Benth. subsp stenocarpa (Urban) Zarate; Leucaena diversifolia (Schldl.) Benth. subsp. trichandra (Urban) F. J. Pan; Leucaena guatemalensis Britton & Rose; Leucaena revoluta Britton & Rose; Leucaena standleyi Britton & Rose; Leucaena stenocarpa Urban; Senegalia albanensis Britton & Rose;