Common name: Wild tamarind, White Babool, Leucaena, Lead tree • Hindi: सफ़ैद बबूल Safed babool • Bengali: সুবাবূল Subabul
Botanical name: Leucaena leucocephala Family: Fabaceae (pea family)
Synonyms: Leucaena latisiliqua
It is a low scrubby tree of tropical and subtropical North America having white
flowers tinged with yellow resembling mimosa and long flattened pods. Leaves
are like that of tamarind. It is a thornless
shrubby bush or tree often only to 6-8ft but occasionally to 30-60ft. Grows
very well in arid tropical climates and can become a pest species in such
climates. Grows best under full sun, needs little water or care once
established. Very fast grower. Grows in practically any soil type.
The tree has a huge wealth of uses, and is an extremely
fast-grower, but care should be taken in some regions to control growth as the
seeds are easily dispersed by birds and grazing cattle and the tree has the
potential to become a pest. It is grown for fodder, but unless
severely grazed or controlled, it spreads rampantly throughout adjacent areas.
| Photographed at Okhla Pakshi Vihar,
Delhi. |
|
aturalized
