chinaberry: Melia azedarach (Sapindales: Meliaceae)

chinaberry
Sapindales > Meliaceae > Melia azedarach L.
Synonym(s): Chinaberrytree, Persian lilac
Chinaberry is a deciduous tree growing to 50 ft. (15.2 m) in height and 2 ft. (0.6 m) in diameter. The leaves are alternate, bi-pinnately compound, 1 to 2 ft. (0.3-0.6 m) in length and turn golden-yellow in fall. Flowering occurs in the spring, when showy, lavender, 5-petaled flowers develop in panicles. Fruit are hard, yellow, marble-sized, stalked berries that can be dangerous on sidewalks and other walkways. Seeds are spread by birds. Chinaberry 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. Chinaberry 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

Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy

Invasive Plants of Asian Origin Established in the United States and Their Natural Enemies - Volume 2 - USDA Forest Service

Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Prescriptions for Specific Nonnative Invasive Plants - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Weeds of the Week - USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area, Forest Health Protection

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Seedling(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Feature(s); rootsprouts in July James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Tree(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Foliage; July James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Flower(s); Flowers with mature fruit from previous season in May Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Flower(s); Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Flower(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Feature(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Feature(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Bark; July James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Plant(s); in winter Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Fruit(s); Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Fruit(s); Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Tree(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Tree(s); November James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Infestation; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Infestation; along road Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024

Invasive Reference(s):

Check Invasive.org for most current lists.

Alabama - IPC List
Florida - EPPC list
Georgia - EPPC list
South Carolina - EPPC List
Tennessee - EPPC List
Texas - Invasive Plant List
Virginia - Invasive Alien Plant Species
Mid-Atlantic - EPPC List
Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species

External Links


				Bargeron, C.T., C.R. Minteer, C.W. Evans, D.J. Moorhead, G.K. Douce and R.C. Reardon. Technical Coordinators. 2008. Invasive Plants of the United States DVD-ROM: Identification, Biology and Control. USDA Forest Service. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. Morgantown, WV. FHTET-08-11.