Leucaena leucocephala

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

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  • 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.