Leucaena diversifolia
Leucaena diversifolia
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Leucaena diversifolia succeeds in moist tropical and essentially frost-free subtropical areas at elevations up to 1,740 metres[1]. It grows in areas where the mean annual temperature ranges from 18 - 30°c, and the mean annual rainfall is 600 - 3,500 mm, with up to 4 months dry period[1]. Its natural distribution corresponds to a narrow zone of moist or very moist submontane evergreen forest, subject to frequent mist and cloud cover[1]. It also grows sometimes abundantly in secondary vegetation. As a mid-elevation species, it is tolerant of cool climates but not frost[1]. Grows best in a sunny position but tolerates some shade[2]. Prefers slightly acid, fertile soils but is tolerant of leached soils[1]. The aggressive nature and profuse growth of Leucaena diversifolia occasionally make it a weed[1]. The plant is fast-growing, self-fertile; it flowers and fruits over an extended season and sets prodigious quantities of seed from an early age. In other words, it has all the traits to make it an aggressive colonizer of ruderal sites and secondary or disturbed vegetation in many places[1, 3]. This species forms spontaneous hybrids with Leucaena leucocephala extremely easily wherever the two species are brought together in cultivation. These hybrids are self fertile and extremely seedy, suggesting weediness risks[3]. The unripe seedpods are harvested by climbing the trees and lopping the terminal branches or groups of pods, often crudely, with machetes, small knives or cutting poles. Annual pollarding in this way apparently causes only limited damage to the trees which resprout and fruit annually[3]. The tree is moderately resistant to Psyllid damage[3]. 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[4].
Propagation
Seed - requires pre-treatment to allow water to penetrate the hard coat. This can be done by carefully abrading part of the seed coat, being careful not to damage the seed. Alternatively, soak the seeds in a small quantity of almost boiling water, which cools down quickly enough so that it does not cook the seed. Then soak the seed for 12 - 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing. Treated seeds can give 70% germination within one week[1]. Typically, seedlings should be transplanted into the field 8 - 12 weeks after germination[1]. Seed storage behaviour is orthodox; viability can be maintained for several years in hermetic storage at room temperature with 5 - 8% mc[1]. Vegetative propagation from cuttings and grafts has generally failed, although tissue culture is successful[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Leucaena+diversifolia>
Pollinators
Insects, Self
References
- [1]World Agroforesty Centre — http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ ↩︎An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
- [2]Ecocrop — http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home ↩︎Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
- [3]Leucaena A Genetic Resources Handbook — Hughes C.E. · Oxford Forestry Institute; Oxford, UK · 1998 · https://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/leucaena/ · ISBN 0 85074 145 9 ↩︎An excellent guide to the genus, giving detailed information on the various species
- [4]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [5]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
- [6]Flora of Guatemala — Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark · 1946 - 1976 · http://www.archive.org/ ↩︎A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
- [7]The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation — Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. · University of Wisconsin · 1981 · ISBN 0-333-32221-5 ↩︎An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.