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].

General Uses: The seed contains up to 40% of a drying oil[114]. It is used for lighting, varnish etc[4, 74]. The musk-scented seeds are used as beads in rosaries[1, 51, 89, 158, 245]. The fruits are a source of a flea powder and an insecticide[46, 74]. The whole fruit is ground up and used[61]. The fruit pulp is also used as an insect repellent[149]. The leaves repel mosquitoes and other insects[89, 148, 178]. Wood - tough, durable, moderately heavy, somewhat brittle, handsomely marked, takes an excellent polish. It has a musk-like aroma[245]. It is used for making furniture, packing cases etc[114, 146, 149, 227].

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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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