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Native Plant Society of Texas

Tepeguaje

Leucaena pulverulenta

Other common name(s):

Great Leadtree, Mexican Leadtree, Great Leucaena

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Coastal Sand Plain, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Semiarid Edwards Bajada

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

30
to
55
ft.

Spread

10
to
20
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Nectar, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Fast growth rate, short-lived. Heat tolerant. It is extremely cold-sensitive and is not hardy north of its native Texas range. Makes a good shade tree with showy blooms. Native habitat: Southmost Texas near stream sides and river banks. This tree will do very well near a resaca or water source but will survive with whatever rain it receives. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms March-July. A medium sized tree with a light, open canopy and brittle branches. The wood is hard and heavy, giving the plant its common name. The leaves are twice-pinnately compound and range from four to ten inches in length. It blooms in spring and summer with dense balls of white sweet-scented flowers. The fruit is a legume pod with narrow, flattened seeds.

References

1) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=26767&print_version=SCR&source=from_print#null 2) https://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=11235&locationType=County&mapType=Normal 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LEPU3 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Leucaena+pulverulenta&formsubmit=Search+Terms 5) Richardson, Alfred. Plants of Deep South Texas: A Field Guide to the Woody and Flowering Species (Perspectives on South Texas, sponsored by Texas A&M University-Kingsville), p. 245. Texas A&M University Press., 6) https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/LEUCAENAPULVERULENTA.HTM#:~:text=Great%20Leadtree%2C%20Mexican%20Leadtree%2C%20Great%20Leucaena%2C%20Tepeguaje&text=It%20blooms%20in%20spring%20and,the%20plant%20its%20common%20name.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification It has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Another method is to lightly nick or abrade the seed coat to help water and oxygen penetrate. Sow seeds in a well-draining potting mix, keeping them moist but not soggy. Germination: Seeds generally germinate within 2-4 weeks, depending on the environment and the seed’s age. Gather Seeds: Collect mature seed pods from your existing tree or purchase them from reputable sources. Preparation: Gently remove the seeds from the pods and let them dry completely in a well-ventilated area. 1) https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Leucaena+pulverulenta 2) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-leucaena-pulverulenta/
Stem Cutting Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder. Plant the cuttings into a pre-moistened rooting mix, ensuring the nodes are buried beneath the soil. Keep the cuttings moist and protected from direct sunlight. They should root within 4-6 weeks. The ideal time to propagate Leucaena pulverulenta is during spring and early summer when temperatures are warm and growth is robust. Select healthy, mature branches from your tree. Cuttings should be 6-8 inches long, with at least two nodes (where leaves emerge).Select healthy, mature branches from your tree. Cuttings should be 6-8 inches long, with at least two nodes (where leaves emerge). https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-leucaena-pulverulenta/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason