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
Native Range: Himalayas (); Asia (BAIL)
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

Images, Video and Information - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Nonnative Invasive Plants of 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
Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - University of Florida
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

Seedling(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); rootsprouts in July James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Tree(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; July James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); Flowers with mature fruit from previous season in May Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Bark; July James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); in winter Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Tree(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Tree(s); November James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation; along road Chuck Bargeron, 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

State(s) Where Reported invasive.
Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database.

Native Alternatives:
Aralia spinosa (devil's walkingstick) Carya illinoinensis (pecan) Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper) Fraxinus dipetala (California ash) Fraxinus velutina (velvet ash) Gleditsia triacanthos (honeylocust) Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) Prunus mexicana (Mexican plum) Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii (western soapberry)	More Information on Native Plants at: www.beplantwise.org PlantWise is a partnership between the National Park Service, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The Garden Club of America and The National Invasive Species Council to prevent harmful invasive plants from invading natural areas.