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  3. Leucaena leucocephala

Leucaena leucocephala

Basic information
Scientific name Leucaena leucocephala

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ギンネム
Common names White Popinac, Wild Tamarind
Higher taxon Fabaceae, Fabales, Magnoliopsida, Magnoliophyta
Natural range South America.
Habitat Edge of forest.
Invasion information
Range in Japan Ogasawara (Bonin) and southern Ryukyus. Range in Japan
Origin Unknown.
Date Introduced to Ogasawara since 1862 (large scale introduction was since 1879). Introduced to Sakishima since 1910.
Route Deliberate: For afforestation, green manure, animal feed, sand erosion protection, fuel, pulp, etc.
Impact Competition with native species. Allelopathy. Nutrient enrichment (soil nitrogen).
Native organism(s) affected: Native plants.
Regulation in Japan 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species.
Introduced range in other countries Wide area of tropical and subtropical region, such as SE Asia.
Reference Notes
  • DECO (ed) (2006) Dictionary of Alien Species. Tokyo-Shoseki. (in Jpn)
  • Ecol. Soc. Japan (ed) (2002) Handbook of Alien Species in Japan. Chijin-Shokan. (in Jpn)
  • ILDIS World Database of Legumes. http://www.ildis.org/
  • JWRC (ed) (2008) A Photographic Guide to the Invasive Alien Species in Japan. Heibonsha. (in Jpn)
  • Osada (1976) Colored Illustrations of Naturalized Plants of Japan. Hoikusha, Osaka.
  • etc.
 100 of the Wolrd’s Worslt Invasive Alien Species.