Leucaena leucocephala, commonly known as White Leadtree, is a fast-growing, semi-evergreen tree native to open woodlands and disturbed areas in southern Mexico and northern Central America. It has been widely naturalized in tropical regions around the world. This species typically reaches heights of 16-49 feet (5-15 meters) with a similar spread, and it features a rounded canopy. The bipinnate leaves are bright green, and the tree produces showy, white, spherical flower heads that bloom intermittently throughout the year, followed by flat, brown seed pods.

White Leadtree is valued for its rapid growth and its ability to improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. It is used in agroforestry systems for fodder, firewood, and green manure. The tree is also planted for erosion control and as a shade tree in coffee and cocoa plantations. It requires full sun to part shade, tolerates a range of soil types, and is drought-resistant once established. However, it can be invasive outside its native range, with seeds dispersed by wind and water contributing to its spread. It is among the IUCN’s 100 worst invasive species and invasive across the tropics (e.g., Hawaiʻi, Fiji, Bahamas, N Australia).CC BY-SA 4.0