Leucaena retusa
Leucaena retusa is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common names littleleaf leadtree, goldenball leadtree, wahoo tree, and lemonball.[2] It is native to Chihuahua and Coahuila in Mexico and Texas in the United States.[3] It also occurs in New Mexico.[2][1]
| Leucaena retusa | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Leucaena |
| Species: | L. retusa |
| Binomial name | |
| Leucaena retusa | |
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| Natural range | |
This plant is a small tree that can reach 7.5 m (25 ft) in height. The leaves are bright green to blue-green[4] in color and each is divided into several leaflets.[2] The spherical flowers are yellow to white in color.[4] The trees flower in April through October and they tend to flower profusely after rain. The fruit is a legume pod up to 25 cm (10 in) in length. The wood is weak and breaks easily.[2][4]
This tree grows in dry habitat and it is drought-tolerant.[2] It is adapted to alkaline soils and full sunlight.[4] It is often cultivated as an ornamental plant for its attractive appearance. It is easily grown from seed and it will reseed itself.[2] It can even become weedy.[4] It is not considered useful as a honey plant or for its wood.[2]
Animals such as livestock and white-tailed deer find the herbage palatable. The seeds are also high in protein.[2]
References
- Leucaena retusa. NatureServe.
- Leucaena retusa. USDA NRCS Plant Guide.
- "Leucaena retusa". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- Leucaena retusa. USDA FS Fact Sheet.