Miracle Tree, River Tamarind Seeds (Leucaena leucocephala)

Miracle Tree, River Tamarind Seeds (Leucaena leucocephala)

Price for Package of 5 seeds.

Aka miracle tree, Koa Haole, white leadtree, river tamarind, subabul, jumbay, white popinac, phak krathin, guaje.

Organic, open pollinated, non-gmo seeds - Germination tested at >90+%.

One of the fastest growing trees in the world. When given water and fertilizer can easily reach 30+ feet in three years. Can also be used for firewood, timber, and in paper production. Great pioneer species for permaculture.  Frost tolerant down to at least 18 degrees possibly lower when established, can sprout back from roots in especially cold winters. Loses leaves when temperatures drop but sprouts again early in spring.

Use by humans

During the 1970s and 1980s, it was promoted as a "miracle tree" for its multiple uses.[8] It has also been described as a "conflict tree" because it is used for forage production but spreads like a weed in some places.

Food for humans

The young pods are edible and occasionally eaten in Javanese vegetable salad with spicy peanut sauce, and spicy fish wrapped in papaya or taro leaves in Indonesia, and in papaya salad in Laos[10] and Thailand, where they are known as phak krathin (Thai: ผักกระถิน).[17] In Mexico it is eaten in soups and also inside tacos, it is known as guaje. Additionally, the state of Oaxaca in Mexico derives its name from the Nahuatl word huaxyacac, the name for Leucaena leucocephala trees that are found around Oaxaca City.

The legume is promoted in several countries of Southeast Asia (at least Burma, Cambodia, Laos,[10] and Thailand), most importantly as a source of quality animal feed, but also for residual use for firewood or charcoal production.

Beautiful white puffball flowers form into long seed pods in the second year. Can be planted alongside more tender fruit trees like avocados for protection until established or alley cropped with vegetables to provide windblock, trellis, or shade, and pollarded yearly to provide mulch, chopped down for biomass when desired or left as an ornamental to provide an exotic tropical look with dappled shade.

Extremely fast growing, cold hardy, subtropical, thornless, perennial, nitrogen fixing legume. Described as a miracle tree, it grows from seed to 10+ feet tree in a single season. Thrives in poor, rocky, clay soil, with full sun and heat with minimal water. This unique tree is also photosensitive and folds its leaves closed each night at sunset.

Seeds germinate easily if the proper procedure is followed. Seeds must be immersed in water that is heated to 170-180 degrees before planting to ensure germination.

Academic studies show best germination rates occur when seeds are immersed in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. For best practice we recommend bring water to just before a boil(when bubbles start to form on the bottom of the pan), ideally 170-180 F (76-82 C), then pour the water into a coffee cup or heat safe container and toss the seeds in, allow to cool, and soak overnight. The seeds will swell two to three times in size when they are ready to be planted. Some can take 3-5 days. Take care not to damage any roots that may emerge. The hot water and soak cycle may be repeated with more stubborn seeds that don’t swell after 24 hours. Scarification by rubbing lightly against sandpaper or pavement before soaking can aid in faster germination but it is not necessary. It is important not to scratch too deep and damage the seed so we recommend patience. After seeds have swollen they can be planted in a sunny location.