Leucaena esculenta

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It grows 2 m tall. It can be 10-15 m tall. The trunk can be 20-70 cm across. It has several stems. The branches are heavy and spreading. The bark is thick and corky. The leaves are twice divided. There are 30-40 pairs of pinnae and the leaflets are 4-7 mm long by 1 mm wide. There are 60-75 pairs on each pinnae. The flower heads are 25-28 mm across. There are 150-170 flowers in a head. The pods are 15-25 cm long by 23-26 mm wide. There are 1-2 on each flower head.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry areas with an annual rainfall between 600-800 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central America, Honduras, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, Senegal, Taiwan, USA, West Africa

How it is used for food

The young seeds are stripped from the pod and eaten raw. They are also roasted or dried. They are used in soups, stews, tortillas, and salads. They can be ground and added to chilli sauces. Young pods, leaves and flower buds are used as greens. The galls that develop of the leaves and pods are eaten raw, roasted or boiled.

Seeds are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, pods, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Guaje, Guaje rojo, Guaxe, Huaje rojo

Synonyms

Acacia esculenta Moc. & Sesse ex DC.; Leucaena confusa Britton & Rose; Leucaena doylei Britton & Rose; Mimosa esculenta Sesse & Moc.;