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Description

Leucaena leucocephala or commonly known as Leucaena, Lead Tree, or White Tamarind is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or tree with a height of up to 20m. A native to southern Mexico and northern Central America, it has an open, rounded crown and short bole of up to 50 cm in diameter. It is highly tolerant to drought mainly because of its extensive root system. It is also planted to prevent soil erosion and as a shade plant for plantation crops. The fine divided leaves of some cultivars may contain mimosene, an amino acid that may be harmful if consumed at large quantity. Young leaves, pods, and flower buds are edible and usually eaten raw, steamed or mixed in soups or with rice. The seeds can also be eaten either raw or cooked, or dried then used as coffee substitute. The plant also yields edible gum used in sauces. Roasted seeds can moisturize skin while decoction of bark and root may cause abortion. The wood is commonly used for its fiber, mainly to make paper. It also makes an excellent firewood and charcoal. Aside from the above mentioned uses of Leucaena, it also makes great animal feed especially for ruminants. It has also been considered for biomass production.

Acacia glauca is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m by 10 m at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 10. The plant is self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light , medium and heavy soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Cultivation

A plant of the tropics, succeed at altitudes up to 1,500 metres, occasionally to as high as 2,100 metres. It grows best with a mean annual temperature in the range 25 - 30°c and a mean annual rainfall of 650 - 3,000mm. For optimal growth it is limited to areas 15 - 25° north or south of the equator. It grows well only in subhumid or humid climates with moderate dry seasons of up to 6 - 7 months. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerant of a range of soils, including limestone, wet and dry soils, soils of volcanic origin and those with moderate levels of salt. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7.7, tolerating 5 - 8.5. Plants are very tolerant of drought and of salt-laden winds. L. Leucocephala ssp leucocephala is an aggressive colonizer of ruderal sites and secondary or disturbed vegetation. This has been attributed to its precocious year-round flowering and fruiting, abundant seed production, self-fertility, hard seed coat, and ability to resprout after fire or cutting. It is now naturalized and weedy in many areas such as open habitats, semi-natural, disturbed, degraded habitats, other ruderal sites, and occasionally, agricultural land where it has been planted as a shade tree over cacao. Plants are deep-rooted. Plants respond well to coppicing, soon producing dense regrowth. Tolerates fast fires and can regrow after being burned to the crown by slower fires. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. Flowering Time: Blooms all year. Bloom Color: Cream/Tan. Spacing: 12-15 ft. .

HabitatsDry coastal regions
Habitatswaste ground.
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