Growing Food: A Guide to Food Production

LIMITATIONS

• Buffalo Gourd plants require long periods of warm dry weather for optimum


• 
  


• 
  


• in common with most other plant protein, the protein contained in Buffalo


• the meal, or presscake, has a high phytic acid content and may also contain


• the plant is rather unattractive and some leaves have a stale, nauseating smell


• there is a shortage of research material on the plant and its agricultural
  requirements.

Leucaena

Leucaena leucocephala (formerly classified as L. glauca)

Horse Tamarind, Leadtree, White Popinac
Ipil-ipil, Lepile, Bayani (Philippines); Lamtoro (Indonesia); Guaje, Yaje, Vaxin
(Central and South America); Koa-haole (Hawaii); Hediondilla (Puerto Rico);
Tangatan (Guam)

The name “leucaena” may be pronounced as either “loo-see-na”, “loo-kee-na”, “loo-
kay-na” or “loo-kuy-na”. It is a productive, persistent and palatable leguminous tree
or bush which originated in Central America and is now grown in almost all of the
tropical and subtropical countries of the world.
It is not a human food crop, but is included in this handbook because of its
significant potential as a multi-purpose crop.
Under optimum conditions Leucaena can grow incredibly fast, and for this
reason as well as its multiple uses it has been called the “Miracle Tree”. However it
will only grow well in areas with appropriate soils, climate and altitude; the
appropriate type and variety is also needed.
There are three main types of Leucaena:

•

• Hawaiian—1–5 m tall with very many branches. Starts to flowers at 4–6
  months, then continues all year round. Very prolific (many seeds), and may
  become an aggressive weed. Main uses: erosion control, firewood, charcoal,
  shade crop and grazing (mainly cattle).

trunk. Also called “Arboreal” or “Guatemala” type. Plant breeders have selected

many varieties of this type, known as “Hawaiian Giants” or by the letter K and a

number, eg K8, K72, K132, etc. Main uses: timber and wood products,

industrial fuel.

Salvador—up to 20 m tall, with few branches on the lower part of the

275

growth.

they are sensitive to frost and intolerant of wet, poorly drained soil.

there is wide variation in yield between plants, often without apparent reason.

Gourds is low in lysine and the sulphur containing amino-acids.

excessive saponins or other toxic substances.

(hence “foetidissima”).

GROWING FOOD – THE FOOD PRODUCTION HANDBOOK