Leucaena leucocephala

Family: Fabaceae

Common Name: Ipil-Ipil

Origin: introduced during the Spanish times as feed for livestock

According to the Stuartxchange website, in the early 1970’s and early 80s this tree was known as the “miracle tree” because it is long-lived and highly nutritious as forage for animals. It is also one of the fastest growing leguminous trees. It also says that it was used in reforestation.

It is now considered an invasive weed.

From Global Invasive Species Database:

The fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree/shrub Leucaena leucocephala, is cultivated as a fodder plant, for green manure, as a windbreak, for reforestation, as a biofuel crop etc. Leucaena has been widely introduced due to its beneficial qualities; it has become an aggressive invader in disturbed areas in many tropical and sub-tropical locations and is listed as one of the ‘100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species’. This thornless tree can form dense monospecific thickets and is difficult to eradicate once established. It renders extensive areas unusable and inaccessible and threatens native plants.

I only noticed the presence of Ipil-Ipil in our place this year when I saw many seedlings coming up at the site where I’ve been clearing hagonoy weeds. Then I started noticing seedlings coming up in other areas, as well as several trees in flower. We will be removing as many of the trees and seedlings as possible.