Melia azedarach

Chinaberry Tree, Bead Tree, Persian Lilac, Cape Lilac, Pride of India

Message of the Flower

Distinction of the Vital

The Mother’s Comment

Light and graceful, of refined elegance; Distinction is the result of refinement, aristocracy, measure, and artistic fineness.

Colour

lilac or light purple, sometimes white.

Family

Meliaceae

Cultivars

Not widely known for specific cultivars.

Person who named the flower

Carl Linnaeus

Flower Size

Small, usually about 1 cm across.

Flower Texture

Delicate

Number of Petals

Five

Floral Symmetry

Radially symmetrical

Fragrance of Flower

gentle, sweet fragrance

Leaf Texture

Rough, bipinnate leaves.

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Color

Green, turning yellow or purple in autumn.

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Medium to large deciduous tree.

Life Cycle

Perennial

Blooming Period

Spring

Climate

Prefers subtropical to tropical climates, but adaptable.

Water Requirements

Moderate; drought-tolerant once established.

Soil Type

Adaptable to a wide range of soils.

Temperature Ranges

Tolerant of a wide temperature range.

Sun or Shade

Prefers full sun.

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Susceptible to pests like the Chinaberry moth; also to diseases like powdery mildew.

Pollinators

Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.

Habitat

Native to Asia and Australia, widely naturalized in other regions.

Role in the Ecosystem

Provides habitat and food for wildlife; the fruits are toxic to some animals.

Ornamental

Valued for its ornamental flowers and foliage.

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Mostly ornamental and medicinal.

Endangered Status

Not listed as endangered.

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