Melia azedarach Bead tree (Meliaceae) Deciduous tree

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Melia azedarach
Bead tree
Deciduous tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Melia azedarach plant species is found in E. Asia - N. India to China. Naturalized in the Mediterranean. It is a member of the Meliaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Bead tree. Some home gardeners know the variety as M. japonica.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Melia azedarach
Common Name:  Bead tree
Family:  Meliaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The fruit is somewhat poisonous[2, 4, 89]. Ripe fruits are more toxic than green ones[218].

Mature Height:  9   Mature Width:  9

Habitat:  Moist sunny locations[152] to 2700 metres in the Himalayas[51].

Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked[2, 105]. A bitter flavour, they are used as a pot-herb, in curries, soups etc[2]. Fruit[2]. A sweetish flavour, it is eaten by children though some people believe it to be poisonous[2]. The fruit is between 1 and 5cm in diameter[200] and contains a single seed[219]. Both these reports, of edible leaves and fruits, should be treated with some caution. The fruit is poisonous according to one report where it says that the ripe fruit is more poisonous than the green fruit and that they have sometimes caused human fatalities[218]. A cooling drink is made from the sap[2] - it is actually a gum[64]. This gum is tasteless, clear to dark amber and of good solubility[64]. The sap is obtained from incisions that are made near the base of the trunk in the spring[2].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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