Chinaberry

Chinaberry is a deciduous tree 6–15 m tall, occasionally to 20 m, with a broad rounded crown and fast growth; the bark is grey-brown and fissured. Its leaves are bipinnate, 20–40 cm long, with toothed, lobed leaflets that are green in summer and turn yellow before falling in autumn. The small, fragrant, pale lilac to white flowers are borne in axillary clusters 10–20 cm long in spring. The fruit is a pale-yellow globose drupe about 1.5 cm across, containing a few hard seeds that often persist on the tree through winter. The chromosome number is 2n = 28.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

According to Kew POWO, Melia azedarach is native from South and East Asia (India, China) through South-East Asia to Australia; it is now widely planted throughout the tropics and subtropics. It grows on deep, well-drained, sunny ground, grows quickly and regenerates readily, so outside its native range it often becomes invasive in the south-eastern United States, many Pacific islands and Africa. In Vietnam chinaberry is commonly planted in rural areas for shade and timber.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

The tissues of chinaberry contain many limonoids, the terpenoid group characteristic of the Meliaceae. The best known is toosendanin, found in the bark and seeds and used as an insecticidal and antifeedant compound; meliatoxin (a tetranortriterpene) in ripe fruit is toxic to people and livestock. Azedarachin and related limonoids give a bitter taste, together with flavonoids, tannins, steroids and seed oil. Content and toxicity vary with plant part, fruit ripeness and season; fallen ripe fruit is the main toxic risk.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

Chinaberry is a multipurpose tree: the light brown, attractively grained and easily worked wood is used for furniture, boxes, musical instruments and plywood, and as fuel; its broad crown provides shade and roadside planting. The leaves, bark and seeds are used as botanical insecticides and insect repellents in agriculture. In the folk medicine of many countries the bark and leaves are used against intestinal worms and as antiseptics, but they must be used with great caution because of their toxicity. The hard seeds are strung into beads and ornaments, and the seed oil can be made into soap and candles.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026

It is listed as Least Concern (LC) and is not globally threatened; however, in some regions outside its native range (the south-eastern United States, Pacific islands) it is an invasive species requiring control. As for safety, the fruit and seeds contain meliatoxin and other toxic limonoids: eating them can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and even death in small children and livestock (pigs, dogs). Do not use the leaves, bark or seeds as medicine or food on your own, and use chinaberry-based insecticides at the proper dose and out of children’s reach. When planting, note its toxicity to livestock and its capacity to spread.

Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/09/2026