Leucaena leucocephala

• Botanical Name : Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit
• Synonyms : Leucaena glauca Benth., Mimosa leucocephala Lamk.
• Common Name : Pardeshi Baval, Liso-Baval, Vilayati Baval, Wild Tamarind, White Babool
• Plant Family : Mimosaceae
• Plant Form : Tree
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 17
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Ayurvedic Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra

About Leucaena leucocephala Plant :

• Habit : A tall, evergreen tree.
• Leaves :
  • Bipinnate, pinnae 3-6 pairs, main rachis and those of the pinnae ending in a weak spine.
  • Leaflets 10-15 pairs, somewhat distant, glaucous, glabrous or nearly so above, pubescent beneath.
• Inflorescence : Dense globose heads with whitish petals.
• Fruit : Pods flat, glabrous, linear-oblong, strap-shaped, pale to dark-brown, seeds 15-20.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : July-October
• Significance :
  • It is common in gardens and on agricultural field edges.
  • The wood is used for handles for agricultural implements.
  • The plant is said to be injurious to animals.
  • It is said to cause the hair to drop out from the tails and manes of horses and to produce complete baldness in pigs.