chinaberry
(Melia azedarach L.)

Overview

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.

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

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Alabama Invasive Plant Council
• Alachua County Cogongrass Initiative
• Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
• California Invasive Plant Council
• Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category II
• Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 1
• Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Policy: Restriction on Planting Exotic Invasive Plants
• National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
• New Invaders of the Northeast and Northcentral
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• Reichard, Sarah. 1994.  Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
• South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council
• Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
• Texas Noxious Weeds
• Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References