leucocephala

Leucaena leucocephala, commonly known as white leadtree or ipil-ipil, is a fast-growing leguminous tree native to southern Mexico through Central America. It has been widely cultivated for fodder, soil improvement, shade, and various agroforestry applications in tropical and subtropical regions.

Taxonomically, it belongs to the genus Leucaena in the family Fabaceae. The species has historically been placed in Acacia as Acacia leucocephala, and its authority is listed as (Lam.) de Wit. It is typically grouped with other leucaenas in discussions of forage trees and nitrogen-fixing species.

Description and ecology: Leucaena leucocephala is a small to medium tree, reaching about 5–15 meters in height. It has bipinnate leaves with numerous small leaflets and produces numerous creamy-white flowers arranged in dense globular heads. The fruit is a flat, elongated pod, typically 10–20 centimeters long, containing many seeds. The tree is drought-tolerant and thrives in a range of tropical soils. It forms symbiotic nitrogen-fixing associations with rhizobia, contributing to soil fertility.

Uses and management: The leaves and young shoots are high in protein and widely used as fodder for ruminant livestock. It is also employed as green manure, soil binder, and shade tree in agroforestry systems. Propagation is primarily by seed, often with inoculation of compatible Rhizobium strains to enhance nitrogen fixation. Management includes considerations of potential toxicity and invasive potential in some environments.

Toxicity and invasiveness: Leucaena leucocephala contains mimosine, a phytotoxin that can cause adverse effects in non-ruminants and some ruminants if consumed in large amounts. In susceptible animals, detoxification may occur in the rumen or be mitigated by feeding practices. The species has become invasive in certain tropical island ecosystems and regions of Africa and the Caribbean, where it can outcompete native vegetation.