Description: Shrub or small tree to 25 feet in height with an airy canopy of gray-green, bipinnate leaves and numerous 3/8 to 1/2 inch, slightly sickle-shaped leaflets.

Terminal or axillary flower spikes produce white, multi-stammened, powderpuff-like flowers. Legumes are narrow, 4 to 6 inch long, 1/2 inch wide green or brown pods produced in clusters.

Ecological threat: Leadtree is a weedy, fast-growing tree that readily invades coastal strand, pine rockland, the margins and canopy gaps of hardwood forests, and open disturbed sites. Population densities can be high if left unchecked.

Distribution in Florida: Southern Florida, including the Florida Keys.

Background: Probably introduced into Florida for erosion control and cattle fodder. Leadtree is seldom purposely cultivated as a landscape plant but may persist as a "weed" in cultivated areas. It is a frequent site along roadsides and hammock margins in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.