Fast-spreading white leadtree confirmed growing along an Aiea, Hawaii street
iNaturalist: suspiciouslylargehungryfish
Invasive Species
The feathery-leaved tree with pale puffball flowers along your Oahu roadside is haole koa, a prolific seeder that crowds out native dry-forest plants and can sprout thousands of seedlings in a single yard.
Someone spotted a white leadtree on Puailima Street in Aiea, Hawaii, and other iNaturalist users agreed on the ID. This tree, also called haole koa, grows quickly and drops tons of seeds, so it spreads easily into vacant lots and roadsides. Sightings like this one help show where it's growing.
Key Findings
The observation reached research-grade status, meaning the community agreed on the identification.
The tree was recorded in a residential and roadside area of Aiea, Oahu, Hawaii.
White leadtree (Leucaena leucocephala) is a well-known weedy species in Hawaii's lowland areas.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A community observer confirmed white leadtree growing on a street in Aiea, Hawaii. The fast-spreading tree is a common weedy invader across Hawaii's lowlands, so each verified sighting helps track where it's taking hold.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
White leadtree (Leucaena leucocephala) observed in Puailima St, Aiea, HI, US
Research-grade observation of White leadtree in Puailima St, Aiea, HI, US.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Leucaena leucocephala is a small fast-growing mimosoid tree native to southern Mexico and northern Central America. It is now naturalized throughout the tropics including parts of Asia.