img

Leucaena leucocephala

(Lam.) de Wit (1961)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Leucaena

false koa, koa haole, lead tree

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrubs or small trees usually up to 9 m tall (maximum size recorded 20 m tall).

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves compound. Alternate. Leaves with (2)3–8 pairs of pinnae, leaflets (5–)7–17(–21) pairs per pinna, subopposite. Obliquely narrowly ovate, 6–19 mm long, 1.5–5 mm wide. Blades with a nectary gland on the leaf rachis. Apex acute. Base inequilateral. Surfaces puberulent on margins and sometimes along midrib. Leaflet margins entire. Petiolate. Stipules caducous, deltoid, very small.

Flowers: Flowers pale green or white, 4–5.5 mm long, in heads up to 13 mm in diameter in bud, peduncles 1–2 per leaf axil, 2–5 cm long. Flowers perfect, in globose heads, these variously racemosely arranged, peduncles with an involucel, bracts spatulate, persistent, bracteoles absent. Flowers mimosaceous. Calyx shortly 5-toothed. Corolla of 5 petals, distinct. Stamens ca. 7 mm long. Stamens 10, distinct; anthers often pilose. Ovary superior, stipitate; ovules numerous.

Fruit: Pods linear–oblong; 8–18(–20) cm long; (1.5–)2 cm wide; glabrous or puberulent; on a stipe up to 3 cm long; stipitate; flat; not septate; dehiscent by thin valves. Seeds glossy brown; ellipsoid or ovoid; laterally flattened; 6–9 mm long; 3.5–5.5 mm wide; 0.8–2 mm thick; with a pleurogram ca. 4 mm long and 1.5 mm wide; compressed; transversely arranged; with a pleurogram.

Ploidy: 2n = 36; 56; 104*

Habitat: In low elevation; dry; disturbed habitats.

Elevation Range: 0–350 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ka'ula Naturalized
Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Notes

  • Description digitized by Tiffany Flood
  • Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii
  • First collected on O'ahu or Kaua'i in 1837
  • This plant is rich in proteins (27-34% of dry weight). About 5% of the protein of the leaflets consists of mimosine, an amino acid
  • low elevation

Bibliography

Name Published In: Taxon 10: 54 (1961)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Leucaena leucocephala Waimea, demonstration plot HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 2/14/2008
2 Leucaena leucocephala Kaluanui Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 337 Lanai BISH 1914-04-16
3 Leucaena leucocephala False Koa. Among Lava blocks at foot of slope, West of springs at N.W. side of mud flats near Koko head Oahu Preserved_Specimen Harris, J.A. 242154 Oahu BISH 1924-08-26
4 Leucaena leucocephala Oahu Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2048 Oahu BISH 1895-03-23
5 Leucaena leucocephala Kapapa Islet, Kaneohe Bay. Raised coral reef with shallow, sandy soil Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6108 Oahu BISH 1978-05-24
6 Leucaena leucocephala Diamond Head Beach Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. 195 Oahu BISH 1903-12-06
7 Leucaena leucocephala Kaula Rock Preserved_Specimen Daehler, R. 22 Kaula Rock BISH 1976-01-21
8 Leucaena leucocephala Kolualoa Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 2659 Oahu BISH 1909-04-01
9 Leucaena leucocephala Kaimuki, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 7264 Oahu BISH 1928-02-03
10 Leucaena leucocephala Palawai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 361 Lanai BISH 1928-08-01
11 Leucaena leucocephala 1/4 to 1/2 mile west of Pali Hwy on Quarry Rd Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 44 Oahu BISH 1976-01-12
12 Leucaena leucocephala Kaluanui Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 312 Lanai BISH 1914-04-16
13 Leucaena leucocephala North Kona; Hawaii Belt Road (Mamalohoa Hwy.) near mile 28. Kaupulehu Preserve Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 1271 Hawaii BISH 1985-10-15
14 Leucaena leucocephala Hwy. 30 S of Lahaina, 1 1/2 miles north of refuse disposal, near ocean Preserved_Specimen Bragg, L.H. Maui BISH 1984-08-26
15 Leucaena leucocephala Kiei Islet Common. Preserved_Specimen About a dozen plus clumps. Barely sprouting from old stem bases. Plants were no more than 1m tall. Some seedlings observed. Starr, F. 6040609 Lanai BISH 2006-04-06
16 Leucaena leucocephala Honolulu, Kalihi Street, near Bishop Museum Preserved_Specimen Hume, E.P. Oahu BISH 1931-06-10
17 Leucaena leucocephala Mt. Tantlus Rd Preserved_Specimen Cantori, M. Oahu BISH 1958-10-03
18 Leucaena leucocephala Nohili, Barking Sands, STARS (Strategic Target System) site. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Kauai BISH 1990-07-29
19 Leucaena leucocephala Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Octavio, A.M. Oahu BISH 1929-11-28
20 Leucaena leucocephala 2 miles N of Waihee School, Hwy. 340, west side of road Preserved_Specimen Bragg, L.H. Maui BISH 1984-08-26
21 Leucaena leucocephala unknown Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 298 BISH 1864-01-01
22 Leucaena leucocephala Koloa, Kalaheo, along Niho Road and Kaloke Road Secondary vegetation along roadside near cane field and houses. Preserved_Specimen tree of 3 m, flowers white Lorence, D.H. 5816 Kauai BISH 1988-02-21
23 Leucaena leucocephala Pupukea Ridge Koalite Clay Preserved_Specimen Small Tree. Native to tropical America. Lee, J. 2 Oahu BISH 1981-10-01
24 Leucaena leucocephala Tantalus Preserved_Specimen E.F.C. Oahu BISH 1929-12-19
25 Leucaena leucocephala Manoa Valley; Honolulu, T.H. Edge of sugarcane field Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. Oahu BISH 1922-09-24
26 Leucaena leucocephala Punchbowl Preserved_Specimen Yoshinaga, E.K. Oahu BISH 1929-12-29
27 Leucaena leucocephala Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park along coatstal and inland trail Area highly modified by ancient Polynesians; predominantly exotic vegetation. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10223 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-07
28 Leucaena leucocephala Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range, Outplanting site with Santalum ellipticum (779227), Euphorbia skottsbergii var. skottsbergii, Cenchrus ciliaris, and Sida fallax Preserved_Specimen Small tree 2 m tall. BISH staff 7 Oahu BISH 2021-04-28
29 Leucaena leucocephala Mokolii One plant near coast on N side. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 5041937 Oahu BISH 2005-04-19
30 Leucaena leucocephala Kaalualu Bay near South Point waste areas, pastures at higher elevations Preserved_Specimen shrub with white flowers Whistler, W.A. 23 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
31 Leucaena leucocephala Along Trail Behind Tech Building CCH Coral Preserved_Specimen Whit balls of stamens. Ayakawa, G.T. 35 Oahu BISH 1967-05-16
32 Leucaena leucocephala Ewa. Barbers Point Along road. Preserved_Specimen Ten foot tree Hosaka, E.Y. 1355 Oahu BISH 1936-03-22
33 Leucaena leucocephala Manana, Oahu just S of landing in rivulet Preserved_Specimen Rare. One patch in rivulet just south of landing. Starr, F. 5022517 Oahu BISH 2005-02-25
34 Leucaena leucocephala Outer crescent Cenchrus ciliaris-Setaria verticillata-Portulaca oleracea-Jacquemontia ovalifolia association. W/ Pluchea indica, P. carolinensis, and Ageratum conyzoides, Chenopodium murale, Waltheria indica, Cenchrus echinatus, and Chloris virgata. Preserved_Specimen Shrub, 1.75 m tall with flower and fruit, first time observed on Lehua, Previously documented on Ni'ihau, Few plants in radial drainage on outer crescent Wood, K.R. 12325 Lehua Rock BISH 2007-04-04
35 Leucaena leucocephala BYU-H Farm field Clay Loam Preserved_Specimen Shrubland. Common in dry and moist regions. Small Thornless shrubs upright tree30 high leaves, compound, leaflets 20-30 oblong, Flowers white. Tupou, L. 6 Oahu BISH 1980-12-01
36 Leucaena leucocephala North Halawa Valley; botanical survey site 5; between bridges 5 and 6 on construction access road Roadside waste with shrubs Preserved_Specimen Tree/Shrub Lennstrom, H. 199413 Oahu BISH 1994-01-03
37 Leucaena leucocephala Mokulua, S east islet Top of Beach Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 12896 Oahu BISH 1936-02-16
38 Leucaena leucocephala Koa Haole. University of Hawaii, Honolulu Dry region. Preserved_Specimen Inafuku, R. Oahu BISH 1931-03-10
39 Leucaena leucocephala Nonopapa Dry flat Preserved_Specimen 5 m shrub St.John, H. 22765 Niihau BISH 1947-08-13
40 Leucaena leucocephala Puuwaawaa Weedy border of Metrosideros forest along transect T17. Preserved_Specimen 5' shrub. Takeuchi, W.N. 5788 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
41 Leucaena leucocephala Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Ahihi Bay at the N end of the reserve Pockets of vegetation near the seashore amongst a'a lava about 200 years old. Preserved_Specimen Large plants up to 5 m; fruiting heavily. Abbott, I.A. 91.29 Maui BISH 1991-03-05
42 Leucaena leucocephala Back of mens dorm on dirt road Mountains Preserved_Specimen size: 7 feet Luke, K. 88 Oahu BISH 1960-12-08
43 Leucaena leucocephala Puuwaawaa, along transect T17 Border of Metrosideros forest. Of rangeland communities. Preserved_Specimen Weedy pest. 5' shrub. Takeuchi, W.N. 5788 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
44 Leucaena leucocephala Honolulu Foster Gardens Potted plant. Preserved_Specimen Flowers white. Potter, C. Oahu BISH 1957-08-15
45 Leucaena leucocephala East Maui, Kailua Gulch, found on banks of tournahauler road between Paia and Haleakala Highway, 1 mile from Haleakala Highway Weedy shrub about 6' tall. Preserved_Specimen Ishikawa, S. Maui BISH 1971-12-31
46 Leucaena leucocephala Popoia [Flat Island, off Kailua Beach Park] Single Leucaena by Terminalia, above beach Preserved_Specimen Palmer, D.D. 6327 Oahu BISH 1980-06-22
47 Leucaena leucocephala Sunset Beach. Sea level Bushes along the road Preserved_Specimen Grass description very small leaves, fluffy flowers Aki, J. 30 Oahu BISH 1969-11-16
48 Leucaena leucocephala Molokini Islet Occasional to common. Found over much of the islet. Preserved_Specimen Usually <1 m tall. First collected in 1925 by Palmer. Oberved by Hobdy and Clarke in 1982 who noted it as uncommon. Observed in 2002 by Starr who noted it as occasional. Collected again during this survey. Starr, F. 6040534 Maui BISH 2006-04-05
49 Leucaena leucocephala 100 yards S of Kahuku Hospital Soil- Sandy Clay. Preserved_Specimen Shrub. Erect much bracnhing shrub, CPD. Leaves scattered. McCulloch, R. 12 Oahu BISH 1975-04-11
50 Leucaena leucocephala Green Valley Road; Punalu Ranch Rocky Clay Preserved_Specimen Bruch. Tall 8 feet. Wide Spread. Avilla, J.J. 24 Oahu BISH 1975-04-04
51 Leucaena leucocephala Waikiki, Honolulu Dry Coarl Plain Preserved_Specimen Baker, R.J. 128 Oahu BISH 1932-07-15
52 Leucaena leucocephala BYU-H Hillside, Laie Rocky Preserved_Specimen Flower heads solitary, auxillary on long stalks. Commonly distributed leaflets 20-30, oblong,0.375 in. long; flower haeads 1-1.5 in. in diameter; pods 4-6 in. long. Tiu, C. 13 Oahu BISH 1975-03-08
53 Leucaena leucocephala Sunset Beach Sandy Preserved_Specimen Flowers bristle type. Widely Scattered Kamae, K.K. 12 Oahu BISH 1967-02-18
54 Leucaena leucocephala Kaohikaipu Islat, Oahu on west side of island in large boulder pile in large boulder pile. Preserved_Specimen Rare. One plant on west side of island… The single small tree was cut, herbicide was applied, and the seeds were bagged. Starr, F. 502241 Oahu BISH 2005-02-24
55 Leucaena leucocephala Wailua Game Reserve vegetation on plots stripmined for bauxidte ore in 1958-60. Tree plot area. Fertilizer applied topically Preserved_Specimen Single trunked tree, 4 m , to multibranched plant; flowers white; fruit tan Howard, R.A. 20225 Kauai BISH 1985-10-20
56 Leucaena leucocephala In Diamond Head Crater Dry Slopes Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. 1448 Oahu BISH 1931-01-22
57 Leucaena leucocephala Kahana Valley near roadside Preserved_Specimen Shrub Flower heads larger and longer stemed Leaves:represent true leaves of Koa. Ernestburg, E. 2 Oahu BISH 1977-02-05
58 Leucaena leucocephala Honolulu OBSERVATION Curtis Daehler Oahu HAPI 10/18/2007
59 Leucaena leucocephala Hauula Preserved_Specimen Dominated by all shrubs Flower--whitish-brown Kinikini, T.V. 55 Oahu BISH 1967-04-27
60 Leucaena leucocephala Old campus dumping area Preserved_Specimen Jungle. 30' to 40' tall White, P.T. 19 Oahu BISH 1977-01-30
61 Leucaena leucocephala Laie Preserved_Specimen Shrub. Thorny, weedy shrub, some are treeelike tropical and temperate regions. Orange, yellow balls. Mackelprang, J. 406 Oahu BISH 1977-04-01
62 Leucaena leucocephala Kahana Valley State Park Preserved_Specimen Tree 2-3m tall; fruit brown turning black; stamens white. Annable, C.R. 3104 Oahu BISH 1996-11-04
63 Leucaena leucocephala Kaamooloa, Waialua Preserved_Specimen Shrub 10 feet tall leaves, 1 foral heads pods. Very common roadside plant Afualo, D. 166 Oahu BISH 1975-04-04
64 Leucaena leucocephala Molokini Islet slight 25-merdy dry Preserved_Specimen Palmer, H. 17 Maui BISH 1925-08-13
65 Leucaena leucocephala Top of Sacrificial Rock, Punch bowl Hill Preserved_Specimen About 5-6 feet high Growing in hard lava soil Garber, D.W. 536 Oahu BISH 1921-02-17
66 Leucaena leucocephala Highway between Laie and Kahuku Preserved_Specimen A small thornless, upright tree, lower heads solitary, auxiliary on long stalks. Leaflets 20-30 flower heads 1-1.5 in pods 4-6 inches long. Lee, P. 6 Oahu BISH 1975-02-08
67 Leucaena leucocephala Diamond Head Preserved_Specimen Thicket at bottom of crater St.John, H. 10553 Oahu BISH 1930-05-10
68 Leucaena leucocephala North Mokulua Islet One small plant seen in slope of volcanic ash or weathered tuff. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 27114 Oahu BISH 1946-10-13
69 Leucaena leucocephala Mokulu, South Island, Lanikai Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5977 Oahu BISH 1978-02-07
70 Leucaena leucocephala Halawa Valley, at trail Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12704 Molokai BISH 1932-12-27
71 Leucaena leucocephala Kahoolawe Preserved_Specimen Erect shrub, much stunted, up to 3 m. high. Growing in small clumps, from the sea level to 400 m. alt. Fl. white, pods green to brown. Bryan Jr., E.H. 1411 Kahoolawe BISH 1939-01-07
72 Leucaena leucocephala Kalihi Valley Preserved_Specimen Tree. Leaves compund20-30, oblong leflets. Flower heads, white color, distribution is many in Hawaii usually in mountain areas. Higuchi, G.T. 2 Oahu BISH 1971-04-14
73 Leucaena leucocephala Makapuu Beach Park Preserved_Specimen Small Tree 25 feet, 1 feet d.b.h. thickets. Little Jr., E.L. 40507 Oahu BISH 1987-09-06
74 Leucaena leucocephala Hauula Preserved_Specimen Tree. White roundball of fuss. Hai, N. 0.22 Oahu BISH 1975-04-02
75 Leucaena leucocephala Kalaupapa; airport, oceanview pavilion Preserved_Specimen shrub or small tree Wysong, M.L. 435 Molokai BISH 2004-11-11
76 Leucaena leucocephala Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen Shrub with rather dark-brown, white flowers and brown fruit. Forming dense thickets in waste plaes in the quarry. Herbst, D.R. 606 Oahu BISH 1967-09-19
77 Leucaena leucocephala Top of Sacrificial Rock, Punch bowl Hill Preserved_Specimen About 5-6 feet high Growing in hard lava soil Garber, D.W. 536 Oahu BISH 1921-02-17
78 Leucaena leucocephala Roadside trees, Tantalus Drive, 500-1,000ft. Near Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Tree 30 ft. 4 in in diam., Little Jr., E.L. 31007 Oahu BISH 1976-08-05
79 Leucaena leucocephala 1 1/2 mile E of Kahuku Preserved_Specimen scrub dicot grows up to 10 ft. Utai, M. 8 Oahu BISH 1975-02-01
80 Leucaena leucocephala 100 yards S of Kahuku Hospital Preserved_Specimen Shrubby. Small, thornless tree up to 20'. Scattered in dense thickets. McCulloch, R. 12 Oahu BISH 1975-04-01
81 Leucaena leucocephala Slope above beach Preserved_Specimen low shrub. Long, C.R. 1659 Oahu BISH 1964-05-01
82 Leucaena leucocephala Diamond Head Preserved_Specimen Thicket at bottom of crater St.John, H. 10553 Oahu BISH 1930-05-10
83 Leucaena leucocephala sewage plant.BYU Preserved_Specimen Form of dense thickets in waste lowland Gilmore, M.A. 10024 Oahu BISH 1977-06-13
84 Leucaena leucocephala Kam. Highway Preserved_Specimen Shrub-small Gilmore, M.A. 10024 Oahu BISH 1977-03-31
85 Leucaena leucocephala Laie-BYU Preserved_Specimen Small, thornless shrub or upright tree compund leaves, pods, flowers are globul. in dry and moist regions from sea level pods are flat4-6 long. Andrews, S. 3 Oahu BISH 1980-10-09
86 Leucaena leucocephala Wind-swept plateau Preserved_Specimen A few small bushes Bryan Jr., E.H. 724 Kahoolawe BISH 1931-02-13
87 Leucaena leucocephala Hauula Preserved_Specimen Grasses-daiseis-morning glories a small thornless shrub approx 15' tall common in dry and moist regions grown for cattle fodder, native to South America. Brandow, C.T. 40 Oahu BISH 1967-05-01
88 Leucaena leucocephala 1/2 mile N of Kekaha School on Hwy. 550 on E side of highway near sugar cane field Preserved_Specimen Bragg, L.H. 10007 Kauai BISH 1984-08-28
89 Leucaena leucocephala Kaliha Street Preserved_Specimen 7 Feet, tall weed Grant, M.L. 7104 Oahu BISH 1934-07-18
90 Leucaena leucocephala Makha Beach Park Preserved_Specimen Small Tree 15 feet, 3 inches d.b.h. or shrub, forming thickets. Little Jr., E.L. 40505 Oahu BISH 1987-09-06
91 Leucaena leucocephala Moakpu Point Preserved_Specimen Common Shrub to 2 meters high forming thick stands along the leeward slopes. Long, C.R. 1699 Oahu BISH 1964-05-06
92 Leucaena leucocephala Kuloa Ranch-Park Preserved_Specimen Small Tree. 10'-20'high. Very wide spread on uncultivated land. Weber, L. Oahu BISH 1977-01-28
93 Leucaena leucocephala Honolulu District, Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Bruegmann, M.M. 152 Oahu BISH 1984-02-18
94 Leucaena leucocephala Oahu Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2048 Oahu BISH 1895-03-23
95 Leucaena leucocephala Kealia trail Preserved_Specimen Bennett, T. 257 Oahu BISH 1982-03-25
96 Leucaena leucocephala Pali Hwy at Quarry Road. Koa Haole Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 39 Oahu BISH 1975-11-11
97 Leucaena leucocephala Ewa District: Koolua Mts., Ewa Forest Reserve, northeast of pacific palisades. Manana trail, at end of Komo Mai Drive Preserved_Specimen Dry Grassy open sreast of ridge Shrub 3 meters Flowers creamy-white Lammers, T.G. 5331 Oahu BISH 1983-08-27
98 Leucaena leucocephala Manoa Campus, University of Hawaii, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Brown shrub to 4 meters. Flowers white Swarbrick, J.T. 37 Oahu BISH 1976-01-04
Back to Top