White lead tree

Common Name(s)

White lead tree

Led tree

Popinac

Scientific Name

Leucaena leucocephala

Family

Legume family (Fabaceae)

Reasons for concern

White led tree forms dense thickets, which displaces native species.

Classification

Non-native

Botanical description

Shrub or small tree growing up to 16 feet

Leaves

Each leaf is divided into 10-20 small leaflets on either side of a central vein like mesquite trees, up to 10 inches long.

Stem(s)

Trunk is open, spreading trunk 4-10 inches in diameter, light brown and slightly bumpy.

Flowers

Spherical clustered at the end of branches, white and turn brown at maturity.

Seeds

Seed pods and flat, 4-6 inch brown seed pods with 20 glossy, brown oval seeds about ¼ inch big.

Native to

Central America

Where it grows

Disturbed, cleared areas

Lifecycle

Perennial

Reproduction

By seed

Weedy Characteristics

White lead tree prolifically produces seeds that easily germinate. The plant quickly regrows after fires and cut stumps and branches.

Look-alike Plants

Velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina) can be distinguished by its smaller, lighter leaves and oval, yellow leaves. The trunk of Velvet mesquite is more gray and has peeling bark.

Control Strategies

Avoid planting this tree, instead choose native species like velvet mesquite. If possible, fully remove established trees.

Gallery

References