Leucaena

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leucaena
Leucaena leucocephala

Leucaena leucocephala

Systematics
Rosids
Eurosiden I
Order : Fabales (Fabales)
Family : Legumes (Fabaceae)
Subfamily : Mimosa family (Mimosoideae)
Genre : Leucaena
Scientific name
Leucaena
Benth.

Leucaena is a genus of about 20 species from the family of legumes (Fabaceae), as trees or shrubs to grow. The natural range of the genus is in North and South America. One species, the white-headed mimosa ( Leucaena leucocephala ), is used as a fodder plant in the tropics around the world.

description

The species of the genus Leucaena grow as evergreen and unreinforced trees and shrubs . The leaves are double pinnate. The stipules are small, bristly and fall off early. The petiole is often covered with glands. The numerous, small leaflets are arranged opposite one another.

The rounded and stalked flower heads stand individually or in clusters in the leaf axils. Usually two bracts are formed. The flowers are usually hermaphrodite and sessile. The calyx is bell-shaped and five-lobed. The five petals are free or almost free. Ten stamens are formed that stand free and extend beyond the petals. The anthers have glands. The ovary is stalked and has numerous ovules . The stylus is thread-shaped. The fruits are stalked, broadly band-shaped, leathery, two-lobed pods . The seeds are transverse, ovoid and flat.

distribution

The distribution area of ​​the slightly more than 20 species is in North and South America. A species, the white-headed mimosa ( Leucaena leucocephala ), sometimes referred to as "wild tamarind", although this name belongs to a different plant species, was naturalized in Asia.

Systematics and research history

Leucaena is a genus in the family of the Leguminosae (Fabaceae). There it is assigned to the subfamily of the mimosa family (Mimosoideae), tribe Mimoseae. The genus was first described by George Bentham in 1842 .

According to the Flora of China, 22 species are distinguished; the PlantList recognizes the following 24 species:

use

The species Leucaena leucocephala is considered to be one of the most important forage plants in the tropics, several other species of the genus are used similarly to a lesser extent in tropical America. Due to the high content of alkaloids , they may only be fed to non-ruminating animals to a small extent. However, ruminants tolerate them without any problems. They also serve as protection against erosion, for afforestation and as shade trees in plantations. The trees are quick to shoot and grow quickly. They are therefore suitable for wood production and for the production of high-quality cellulose for paper production.

proof

literature

  • Wu Zheng-yi, Peter H. Raven, Deyuan Hong (Eds.): Flora of China . Volume 10: Fabaceae . Science Press / Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing / St. Louis 2010, ISBN 978-1-930723-91-7 , pp. 53 (English).
  • Bernd Nowak, Bettina Schulz: Pocket dictionary of tropical crops and their fruits . Quelle & Meyer, Wiebelsheim 2009, ISBN 978-3-494-01455-5 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e Leucaena in Flora of China , Volume 10, p. 53
  2. ↑ Leucaena. In: Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). United States Department of Agriculture, accessed May 26, 2012 .
  3. ↑ Leucaena. In: The Plant List. Retrieved May 26, 2012 .
  4. ↑ Nowak, Schulz: Pocket dictionary of tropical useful plants and their fruits , p. 335

Web links

Commons : Leucaena  - collection of images, videos and audio files