white leadtree
(Leucaena leucocephala)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Leucaena leucocephala is a shrub or small tree that can grow up to 16 ft. (5 m) in height.
Foliage
The bipinnate leaves are about 10 in. (25 cm) long. There are approximately 12 pairs of lanceolate shaped leaflets each about 0.35-0.47 in. (9-12 mm) long, 0.08-0.14 in. (2-3.5 mm) wide. Leaflets are oppositely arranged.
Flowers
Flowers grow clustered on the end of branches. Individual flowers are white, turning brown with maturity.
Fruit
Leucaena leucocephala is a prolific seed producer. The dark brown seed pods are flat, roughly 4-6 in. (10-15 cm) long, with about 20 seeds. Seeds are glossy brown, oval, flat, 0.24 in. (6 mm) long.
Ecological Threat
In areas where Leucaena leucocephala is considered an invasive weed, it will form dense thickets and displace the native vegetation. Disturbed, cleared areas, coastal strands, outskirts of forests, and canopy gaps are some locations regularly invaded by Leucaena leucocephala.
Citations
Rawlins, K.A., R.L. Winston, C.T. Bargeron, D.J. Moorhead, and R. Carroll. 2018. New Invaders of the Southeast. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET-2017-05. Retrieved from http://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/pdf/FHTET-2017-05_New%20Invaders_SE.pdf
Resources
- Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category II
- Florida Noxious Weeds
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- New Invaders of the Southeast
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Reichard, Sarah. 1994. Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
- Texas Noxious Weeds
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Fabales |
| Family: Fabaceae |
| Genus: Leucaena |
| Leucaena leucocephala |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.