Plant · P-901

Chinaberry

Melia azedarach

Chinaberry is a fast-growing deciduous tree in the mahogany family, native from northern India through southern China to northern Australia, reaching roughly 9 to 12 metres tall with an equally wide crown of pinnately compound leaves and fragrant lilac flower clusters, followed by clusters of yellow berries that persist on the tree past leaf fall. It grows in full sun on sand, loam or clay with good drainage, tolerates conditions from dry to consistently moist, and is hardy to roughly zone 7; one source extends tolerance to zone 12 in mild winters. All parts, especially the fruit, contain tetranortriterpene neurotoxins toxic in large quantities to humans, dogs, cats and horses, though cattle and many birds eat the berries without harm, and birds are the tree's main seed disperser. It resprouts vigorously from cut stumps and seeds itself readily, naturalizing wherever planted and outcompeting native vegetation through strong resistance to local insects and pathogens; several introduced ranges list it as a regulated invasive species restricted from sale. Extracts from the fruit have shown insecticidal and insect-repellent activity in research settings, and the wood has been used as a fast-rotation timber.