Leucaena retusa

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Leucaena retusa
Leucaena retusa.jpg
Status TNC G4.svg
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Clade: Mimosoideae
Genus: Leucaena
Species:
L. retusa
Binomial name
Leucaena retusa
Leucaena retusa range map.jpg
Natural range

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]

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]

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References

  1. 1 2 Leucaena retusa. NatureServe.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Leucaena retusa. USDA NRCS Plant Guide.
  3. "Leucaena retusa". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Leucaena retusa. USDA FS Fact Sheet.