Bead tree, Cape lily
Melia azedarach

Family: Meliaceae

What it is like

A moderate sized tree. It grows 6-16 m high. It can spread 3-12 m wide. The trunk is round and the branches spread out widely. The bark is greyish-brown. The bark has long shallow cracks along the length. The leaves are alternate. They are twice divided and bright green. The leaflets are sword shaped and have teeth along the edge. They are 7-8 cm long by 2 cm wide. The leaf base has unequal sides. The flowers are lilac and have a honey scent. The occur in long open clusters in the axils of leaves. These are about 18-20 cm long. The fruit is fleshy and round. It is about 1-1.5 cm across. It is smooth and yellow. There are 4 tiny seeds in a very hard shell.

Used as a medicine in Indonesia. It has anticancer properties. There are 2-3 (10-37) Melia species. It can become invasive.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is naturalised all over India and in many tropical countries. It can grow from tropical to temperate places. It needs well drained soil. It needs to grow in full sun. It can stand light frosts. It is very drought tolerant. In East Africa it grows from sea level to 2,000 m altitude. In Sikkim it grows between 500-1,800 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. It grows in salty soils. It can grow in arid places. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. National Arboretum Canberra. It suits hardiness zones 8-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, America, Andamans, Angola, Arabia, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central America, China, Christmas Island, Colombia, Congo DR, Cook Island, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Easter Island, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marquesas, Martinique, Mediterranean, Mexico, Micronesia, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pohnpei, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, West Timor, Yap, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The fruit are very poisonous. (Six can kill a person). The berries have been recorded as eaten. They are also used for an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The young leaves are used in medicine and also recorded as eaten. They are roasted or fried. They are also used in curries. A kind of toddy is made by tapping the tree. Many parts of the tree are dangerously narcotic. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable. They are bitter.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit (poisonous), gum, leaves, flowers, vegetable, caution

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed need to be planted fresh. They can also be grown from cuttings. It can be cut back and will re-grow.

It is a fast growing tree.

Its other names

Local names

Abori esing, Arebevu, Bakain, Bakaina, Bakaino, Bakam limbodo, Bakayan, Bitter lian, Bobaneemp hang, Chinaberry, Deikna, Dieng-jah-rasang, Drek, False sycamore, Ghoraneem, Ghoranim, Gringging, Hlim hierm, Hutchu bevu, Indian lilac, Indijska lipovka, Kadu khajur, Kala khajur, Karabil, Karinvembu, Ku lian pi, Lapsi, Lashi, Lian, Lien, Lila, Maha neem, Mahanim, Mahanimba, Malai vembu, Mindi kecil, Mindi, Neemtita, Padrai, Pan-tama, Paraiso, Pejri, Persian lilac, Pride of India, Shilasii, Silot-kung, Sima veppu, Syringa, Thamaga, Theikhomchom, Thinbaw-pan-tama, Turaka vepa, White cedar

Synonyms

Melia composita Willd.; Melia dubia auct.(non Cav.) How et T Chen; Melia dubia Cav.; Melia japonica G. Don; Melia orientalis M. Roem.; Melia toosendan Sieb. et Zucc.; and others