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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 hybrid of L.pallida and L. leucocephala developed at the University of Hawaii. It has excellent psyllid resistance, cold tolerance, and is suited for elevations between sea level and 1000 m. This, and other hybrids with L. leucocephala, were crossed to provide resistance to a psyllid that seriously affect L. leucophala. KX2 is used mainly as a forage but also provides fuelwood and shade.