chinaberry: Melia azedarach (Sapindales: Meliaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

chinaberry	USDA PLANTS Symbol: MEAZ U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Hardwood Trees Shrub or Subshrub
Melia azedarach L.

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Sapindales: Meliaceae
Synonym(s): Chinaberrytree, Persian lilac, pride-of-India, chinaberry, umbrella tree
Native Range: Himalayas (); Asia (BAIL)
Appearance Melia azedarach is a deciduous tree growing to 50 ft. (15.2 m) in height and 2 ft. (0.6 m) in diameter. Foliage The leaves are alternate, bi-pinnately compound, 1-2 ft. (0.3-0.6 m) in length and turn golden-yellow in fall. Flowers Flowering occurs in the spring, when showy, lavender, 5-petaled flowers develop in panicles. Fruit Fruit are hard, yellow, marble-sized, stalked berries that can be dangerous on sidewalks and other walkways. Seeds are spread by birds. Ecological Threat Melia azedarach invades disturbed areas and is commonly found along roads and forest edges. It has the potential to grow in dense thickets, restricting the growth of native vegetation. Melia azedarach is native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It was introduced into the United States in the mid 1800s for ornamental purposes.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Images, Video and Information - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
Florida National Forests Invasive Plant Series - USDA Forest Service
Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Tree(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Tree(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); immature Franklin Bonner, USFS (ret.), Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage; Leaf study John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Flowers with mature fruit from previous season in May James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Bark; July James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; July James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Ronald F. Billings, Texas A&M Forest Service , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Ronald F. Billings, Texas A&M Forest Service , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); Unopened flower buds; panicle shape easy to see here; April 2011; Coastal plains Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); in winter Ronald F. Billings, Texas A&M Forest Service , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Tree(s); November James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation; along road Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org