Leucaena
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Mimosaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Genus Description - Shrubs or small trees. Leaves twice-pinnate; pinnae opposite; rachis with a nectariferous gland between the two lower pinnae; leaflets numerous, opposite; stipules minute, deciduous. Flowers bisexual, in axillary, globose heads; peduncle with 2 fused bracts at or near the apex; calyx bell-shaped to funnel-shaped, with 5 minute teeth at apex; corolla white, of 5 free, oblanceolate petals; stamens 10, long-exserted, the filaments of unequal length, free, the anthers pilose; ovary stipitate, with several ovules, the style filiform, the stigma punctiform. Legume oblong, flattened, straight, with ribbed margins, dehiscent; seeds transverse, lenticular or ovate.
Distribution and Ecology - A genus of 10 species native to Central America.