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The genus Leucaena includes several multipurpose tree species and interspecific hybrids that can withstand almost any type or frequency of pruning or coppicing. They are native to Mexico and Central America, and now abundant in the Philippines, West Africa, Nepal, Australia and Hawaii. Spanish sailing vessels reportedly introduced Leucaena to Asia four centuries ago. A total of thirteen species of Leucaena, mostly shrub species, are distributed within the New World tropics and subtropics.

A Hawaiian giant variety of L. leucocephala that is used mainly for timber and can grow to 20m height in five years.