| 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 |
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| Synonym(s): Chinaberrytree, Persian lilac, pride-of-India, chinaberry | |
| 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. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Tree(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Tree(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); immature Franklin Bonner, USFS (ret.), Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Leaf study John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Flowers with mature fruit from previous season in May James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Bark; July James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; July James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, 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 |
 Flower(s); Unopened flower buds; panicle shape easy to see here; April 2011; Coastal plains Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); in winter Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Tree(s); November James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; along road Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; David J. Moorhead, 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 Alternative content
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 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. Alternative content
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| U.S. National Parks where reported invasive: |
| Colonial National Historical Park (Virginia) San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Texas) Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi) |
