24; see text Leucaena is a genus of flowering plants in the mimosoid clade of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the family Fabaceae.

[5] The generic name is derived from the Greek word λευκός (leukos), meaning "white," referring to the flowers.

[6] Leucaena species are grown for their variety of uses, including as green manure, a charcoal source, livestock fodder, and for soil conservation.

Leucaena planted for firewood on an area of 120 km2 (46 sq mi) will yield an energy equivalent of 1 million barrels of oil per year.

In other species high levels of mimosine may lead to hair loss and infertility in non-ruminants.