Leucaena pulverulenta
Great leadtree · Great Leucaena · Guache de Monte · Guaje de Monte · Timbre
Description
Source: leafsnapLeucaena pulverulenta is a small tree or shrub that belongs to the Fabaceae family. Native to Australia, it thrives in diverse habitats such as woodlands, forests, and grasslands. This plant can grow up to 5 meters tall and has a spreading habit with multiple stems. The leaves of Leucaena pulverulenta are compound, featuring 6-12 pairs of oblong leaflets. They exhibit a bluish-green color and are covered with fine hairs, giving them a powdery appearance. From late winter to early spring, the plant produces small white or cream-colored flowers that grow in clusters at the ends of branches. These flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Leucaena pulverulenta is notable for its nitrogen-fixing ability, making it a valuable species for improving soil quality in degraded areas. Additionally, it has medicinal properties; its bark contains compounds used to treat various ailments such as fever, coughs, colds, and headaches. Overall, Leucaena pulverulenta is an attractive plant species that provides ecological benefits and medicinal properties, highlighting its importance both ecologically and medicinally.
Care Guide
💧 Water Every 7 days
☀️ Light Full sun
Great leadtree comes from open habitats, such as sunny meadows and forest edges, which offer abundant light. It thrives in Full Sun but will also tolerate Partial Sun, adapting well to a range of sunlight conditions.
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C
Great leadtree shows good adaptability to temperature, tolerating high heat and wide temperature fluctuations. In hot weather, it is important to monitor watering and provide proper shade to prevent sunburn. However, Great leadtree is relatively intolerant of low temperatures. While it can endure some cold, very low temperatures can cause frost damage.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer
The timing of fertilizing Great leadtree is important. Apply fertilizer in early spring and continue monthly until early summer. Fertilizer promotes beautiful blooms and supplies energy during both dormant periods and active growth.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
To encourage growth and maintain the shape of a great leadtree, prune it in early spring. Begin by removing any dead branches, and then thin out crowded areas to improve air circulation. For older plants, rejuvenate them by cutting back one-third of the oldest stems. Regular pruning helps control the tree's size, promotes healthier blooms, and manages rapid regrowth.
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Tree
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Leucaena
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 9-11
- Mature Height
- 10.97 m to 21.95 m
- Mature Spread
- 3.96 m to 7.92 m
- Leaf Color
- Green, Light Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- White
- Flower Size
- 1.02 cm to 2.03 cm
- Bloom Time
- Late spring, Summer, Early fall
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Late summer, Fall
- Native Area
- Mexico