NQ DRY TROPICS WEED FREE pg . 33
LEUCAENA
Leucaena leucocephala
DESCRIPTION
This perennial shrub or small tree can grow to 6 metres tall . Leaves are dark green , fern-like with many pairs of 4 sided greyish-green leaflets . Leaves are arranged on alternate areas of the stem and are about 25 centimetres long . Flowers are small , creamy-yellow , wattle-like ‘ ball ’ flowers , on short stalks about 5 centimetres long ; single , or in pairs in leaf axils . It flowers all year round . Seeds are in dense clusters of flat green pods that turn pale to dark-brown when mature . They grow to 15 centimetres long and two centimetres wide . Each pod contains about 20 glossy-brown , flat seeds that scatter when ripe . Habitat it rapidly colonises creek lines and may intensify flooding effects . Weed characteristics it can form dense thickets on roadsides and other disturbed areas , inhibiting growth of other species and reducing ground cover . Dispersal it is a prolific seed producer and re-establishes from basal shoots after fire . Seeds can remain dormant for up to 15 years . The seeds will germinate sporadically , making control very difficult . Shattering of pods causes local dispersal of seeds in the vicinity of the parent plant , while vehicles and flowing water disperse seeds longer distances .
BIOSECURITY MATTER
This species is not listed under Queensland Legislation however it is locally declared within the Whitsundays Regional Council and Burdekin Shire Council areas . Control is highly recommended in natural areas outside Grazing systems
HOW TO ACT
Slashing is an effective way of keeping this plant under control . Basal barking is very effective at controlling small infestations . Foliar spraying can be effective for spraying small plants that have heavy foliage cover . Long term control requires control of the seed bank . After controlling mature plants , burn the site to break seed dormancy and spray germinating seeds with glyphosate .
SHRUBS LEUCAENA