Ipil-ipil

Family leguminosae

Scientific name:  Leucaena leucocephala (lamk.) de witt

 Other names

            Agho((p. bis.)

            Aghog((p. bis.)

            Ipel(ta.)

            Kabahero(c. bis.)

            Kariskis(ilk.)

            Kompokompitis(ilk.)

            Loyloy(s. l. bis)

            San pedro(p. bis.)

            Santa Elena(span)

          Ipil-ipil is a small tree reaching a height of about 8 m. the leaves are alternate, twice compound, 15-25 cm long. The base of the petiole is enlarged. There are 9-18 pairs of leaflets, 7-12 mm long, linear oblong, inequalateral. The flowering stalks are axillary, 3.5 –5 cm long . the flowers are dense, globose heads, 2-3 cm in diameter, white. The fruit is a pod, strap-shaped, flattened, 12-18 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, papery, green turning brown and splitting open along 2 edges when mature.  The seeds are obovate , 5-9 mm long, 3-5 mm wide, shiny and brown.

It is cultivated throughout the country and is propagated by seeds and hardwood cuttings.