Fauna
Plant

Great Leadtree

Leucaena pulverulenta

Also known as Tepeguaje, Chalky Leucaena

Great leadtree is a fast-growing subtropical canopy tree distinguished by exceptionally feathery, twice-pinnate leaves and chalky, powdery young branchlets. Spherical clusters of creamy-white blossom heads appear throughout the warm months, providing an abundant nectar pulse for native butterflies and wild bees before setting dense hanging clusters of flat, reddish-brown seedpods. As an efficient nitrogen fixer along the lower Rio Grande floodplain, it steadily restores depleted soils while casting the gentle dappled shade required by slow-growing thornforest saplings.

Nitrogen-FixingRiparianDeciduous
Great Leadtree reference1 / 7
(c) Nicole, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Bean Weevils
  • Domestic Cattle
ThreatsAgricultural clearing, riverflow alterations, and competition from non-native invasive weeds
HabitatsRiparian woodlands, resaca banks, floodplain terraces, and thornscrub margins
Life span40–60 years
Classification
  1. FamilyFabaceae
  2. SpeciesLeucaena pulverulenta
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Seeds and foliage contain mimosine, which is toxic to horses, dogs, and humans if ingested.
Why it is dangerous
Tissues contain the non-protein amino acid mimosine, which causes hair loss, thyroid disruption, and stomach ulceration in monogastric mammals.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by immense, twice-pinnate leaves with thousands of microscopic leaflets and long, flat, thin-shelled seedpods.
What to do
Enjoy observing the tree safely from the path, but never harvest or consume pods, seeds, or foliage.
Responsible observation
  • Foliage Inspection: Look closely at fresh branch tips to observe the fine whitish bloom that gives the species its botanical name.
  • Wildlife Watching: Check canopy blooms during midday heat for visiting hairstreak butterflies and native leafcutter bees.
  • Pet Safety: Keep grazing dogs and horses away from dropped seedpods beneath the tree canopy.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…