Jumbay

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mimosa
• Tan Tan
• Tantan Tree
• Wild Tamarind
• coffeebush
• horse-tamarind
• jumbie-bean
• leadtree
• leucaena
• sneakytree
• vi-vi
• white popinac
• White leadtree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mimosa leucocephala
• Acacia leucocephala

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. It is scientifically identified by the genus Leucaena and the species leucocephala.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific presence across several regions within the European continent. In Southwestern Europe, its distribution includes the Baleares, Portugal, and Spain. Moving toward the eastern part of the continent, it can also be found in Southeastern Europe. Specifically, its range extends to Italy within this southeastern territory. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the island of Sicilia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Leucaena leucocephala is characterized by a broad adaptability to diverse environments, spanning a significant altitudinal gradient. It can be found at elevations ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 2200 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1810 m AMSL. While specific habitat classifications are often context-dependent, the species is known to thrive in a variety of settings across its wide vertical distribution.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1810 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

(?)

Genetics

The genetics of Leucaena leucocephala are characterized by a high degree of polyploidy, which significantly contributes to its evolutionary success and morphological plasticity. A defining cytogenetic feature of this species is its complex chromosomal makeup, specifically documented with a chromosome number of 104. This high chromosome number suggests a history of extensive genome duplication events, which likely facilitate genetic buffering and provide a broad range of phenotypic variations. Such genomic complexity plays a critical role in the plant's ability to adapt to diverse ecological niches and its inherent resilience to environmental stressors. The polyploid nature of its genome also influences its reproductive biology and the potential for hybrid vigor, making its genetic architecture a subject of interest for understanding its widespread distribution and biological adaptability.

Chromosome number :

104

Life history

The life history of Leucaena leucocephala is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, specifically developing into a woody shrub or tree where the buds are borne well above the ground level. This phanerophyte growth habit is further defined by its evergreen nature, as the plant retains its foliage throughout the year rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding period.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Leucaena leucocephala is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a tree, though it can also exhibit a shrubby habit. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber or a liana, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant exhibits significant variability in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 15 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 8.72 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

8.72 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Leucaena leucocephala is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a specialized ability for nitrogen fixation, as it functions as a nitrogen fixer. Its leaf morphology displays significant variability, with elliptic leaf forms featuring a length ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 25 cm, and widths varying between 0.15 cm and 16 cm. The plant exhibits a specific leaf area (SLA) with a consistent mean, minimum, and maximum value of 306.98 cm²/g, indicating a specific strategy for light interception and resource allocation. Regarding its leaf tissue density and composition, the leaf dry matter content (LDMC) is recorded at a uniform 238.8 mg/g across its minimum, mean, and maximum values. Furthermore, the plant does not exhibit succulence, maintaining a non-succulent leaf structure.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

238.8 mg/g

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

25 cm

Leaf length min:

0.8 cm

Leaf width max:

16 cm

Leaf width min:

0.15 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

306.98 cm²/g

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Leucaena leucocephalha is characterized by a prolific flowering cycle that can occur throughout the year, beginning as early as January and extending through December. The plant produces white flowers and exhibits self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success. Following pollination, the plant develops dry, brown pods (fruit type: pod) that typically measure between 10 cm and 20 cm in length and 1.4 cm to 2.1 cm in width. These fruits are dehiscence-based, meaning they split open to release their contents. Each pod contains a significant number of seeds, generally ranging from 11 to 100 seeds per fruit. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a mean length of approximately 7.091 mm (ranging from 6.7 mm to 9.6 mm), a mean width of 4 mm to 6.3 mm, and a height between 0.08 mm and 0.2 mm. The seed volume is consistently recorded at 57 mm³, and the individual seed mass fluctuates between a minimum of 0.0256 g and a maximum of 0.071 g, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0446 g. Dispersal is achieved through both autochory (self-dispersal) and zoochory (dispersal by animals), facilitating the spread of the species across different environments.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

20 cm

Fruit length min:

10 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

2.1 cm

Fruit width min:

1.4 cm

Seed height max:

0.2 mm

Seed height min:

0.08 mm

Seed length max:

9.6 mm

Seed length mean:

7.091 mm

Seed length min:

6.7 mm

Seed mass max:

0.071 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0446099078571429 g

Seed mass min:

0.0256 g

Seed volume max:

57 mm³

Seed width max:

6.3 mm

Seed width min:

4 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

11-100

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Leucaena leucocephala has 3 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Biology of the cell
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Heliyon

Seed

1. Drug development and industrial pharmacy
2. ACS omega

Root

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Chemicals

Leucaena leucocephala has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Mimosine, 3-hydroxy-4(1h)-pyridone, Flavonoids, 2,3-DHP, 3,4-Dihydroxypyridine.

Mimosine

1. Drug discoveries & therapeutics
2. Biology of the cell
3. Journal of animal science
4. Berliner und Munchener tierarztliche Wochenschrift

3-hydroxy-4(1h)-pyridone

1. American journal of veterinary research
2. Journal of animal science

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

2,3-DHP

1. American journal of veterinary research

3,4-Dihydroxypyridine

1. Journal of animal science

Chrysoeriol

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Condensed Tannins

1. Journal of animal science

Coumarins

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Epicatechin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Epigallocatechin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Activities

Leucaena leucocephala has 4 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.

Antioxidant

1. Scientific reports
2. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antibacterial

1. Scientific reports
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Anticancer

1. Scientific reports

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Medicinal Uses

Leucaena leucocephala has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Hair-loss, antidiabetic, antioxidant, cancer, infectious diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations