Melia azedarach

The fully grown tree has a rounded crown, and commonly measures 7–12 metres (20–40 feet) tall, exceptionally 45 m (150 ft).[7]

The leaves are up to 50 centimetres (20 inches) long, alternate, long-petioled, two or three times compound (odd-pinnate); the leaflets are dark green above and lighter green below, with serrate margins.

The flowers are small and fragrant, with five pale purple or lilac petals, growing in clusters.

The fruit is a drupe, marble-sized, light yellow at maturity, hanging on the tree all winter, and gradually becoming wrinkled and almost white.

The genus name Melia is derived from μελία (melía), the Greek word used by Theophrastus (c. 371 – c. 287 BC) for Fraxinus ornus,[9][10] which has similar leaves.[11] The species azedarach is from the French 'azédarac' which in turn is from the Persian 'āzād dirakht' (ازادرخت ) meaning 'free- or noble tree'.[12]

Melia azedarach should not be confused with the Azadirachta trees, which are in the same family, but a different genus.

Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) eating Melia azedarach fruit at Roorkee in Haridwar, District of Uttarakhand, India.

Some hummingbirds like the sapphire-spangled emerald (Amazilia lactea), glittering-bellied emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus) and planalto hermit (Phaethornis pretrei) have been recorded as feeding on and pollinating the flowers; these only take it opportunistically.[13]

Bees and butterflies do not use the flower (or the nectar) so it serves no pollinator benefit in the US.[14]

Pests such as cape lilac tree caterpillars, Leptocneria reducta, can severely defoliate the tree and cause a lot of damage to the tree in Australia.[15]

Fungal plant pathogen Pseudocercospora subsessilis is found on the leaves of the tree,[16] causing leaf spots.[17]

The plant was introduced around 1830 as an ornamental in the United States (South Carolina and Georgia) and widely planted in southern states. It was introduced into Hawaii in 1840.[14] It is considered an invasive species in Texas,[14] and by some American groups as far north as Virginia and Oklahoma.[18] But US nurseries continue to sell the trees, and the seeds are also widely available. It has become naturalized to tropical and warm temperate regions of the Americas and is planted in similar climates around the world. It is an ornamental tree in the southern part of Korea.[17]

It was planted in parks, public gardens, stream banks and along footpaths or roadsides in Australia.[19] The fragrant lilac flowers and yellow fruits of White Cedar make it an appealing ornamental tree.[20] The hard seeds of the plant could also be used in art and crafts, such as making beads for rosaries. It has naturalized in parts of Australia and in New Zealand, but it is classed as 'weed',[21] since it has the ability to colonise an area (with bird dropped seed) if left unchecked.[15]

The fruits have evolved to be eaten by animals, which eat the flesh surrounding the hard endocarp or ingest the entire fruit and later vent the endocarp. If the endocarp is crushed or damaged during ingestion or digestion, the animal will be exposed to the toxins within the seed. The processes of mastication and digestion, and the degree of immunity to the particular toxins, vary widely between species, and there will accordingly be great variation in the clinical symptoms following ingestion.[22]

Fruits are poisonous or narcotic to humans[23] if eaten in quantity.[24] However, these toxins are not harmful to birds, who gorge themselves on the fruit, eventually reaching a "drunken" state. The birds that are able to eat the fruit spread the seeds in their droppings. The toxins are neurotoxins and unidentified resins, found mainly in the fruits. The first symptoms of poisoning appear a few hours after ingestion. They may include loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, bloody faeces, stomach pain, pulmonary congestion, cardiac arrest, rigidity, lack of coordination and general weakness. Death may take place after about 24 hours. As in relatives, tetranortriterpenoids constitute an important toxic principle. These are chemically related to azadirachtin, the primary insecticidal compound in the commercially important neem oil. These compounds are probably related to the wood and seed's resistance to pest infestation, and maybe to the unattractiveness of the flowers to animals.

The plant is toxic to cats.[25]

Melia azedarach plank

The main utility of chinaberry is its timber. This is of medium density, and ranges in colour from light brown to dark red. In appearance it is readily confused with the unrelated Burmese teak (Tectona grandis). Melia azedarach, in keeping with other members of the family Meliaceae, has a timber of high quality, but in comparison to many almost-extinct species of mahogany, it is under-utilised. Seasoning is relatively simple — planks dry without cracking or warping and are resistant to fungal infection.

The tough five-grooved seeds were widely used for making rosaries and other products requiring beads; however, the seeds were later replaced by plastics. The cut branches with mature fruit are sold commercially to the florist and landscaping trade particularly as a component for outdoor holiday décor. The fruits may persist for some time prior to shattering off the stem or discoloring, which occurs rapidly after a relatively short time in subfreezing weather.

In Kenya the trees have been grown by farmers and used as fodder trees. The leaves can be fed to cattle to improve milk yields and improve farm incomes.[26] The taste of the leaves is not as bitter as that of the leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica).

In Australia, particularly the suburbs of Melbourne, the tree is often used in nature strip plantings by local councils. The councils plant such trees for amenity reasons as well as environmental, social and economic benefits.[27]

Leaves have been used as a natural insecticide to keep with stored food, but must not be eaten as they are highly poisonous.[28] Chinaberry fruit was used to prevent insect larvae from growing in the fruit. By placing the berries in, for example, drying apples and keeping the fruit turned in the sun without damaging any of the chinaberry skin, the fruit will dry and will prevent insect larvae in the dried apples.

A diluted infusion of leaves and trees has been used in the past to induce uterine relaxation.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melia azedarach.

• Melia azederach (PDF)
• SerTox: FAQ about toxic plants (in Spanish)
• "Melia azedarach L". Atlas of Living Australia.

• Melia azedarach in West African plants – A Photo Guide.