Indian neem
Cipadessa baccifera

Family: Meliaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows to 1-5 m high. The leaflets along the stalk end with a leaflet at the end. The leaflets have short stalks. Leaflets are hairy on the upper surface. The flowers are small and green. They occur in the axils of leaves. The fruit are purple to black when ripe. They are round and 4-5 mm across.

There is only one Cipadessa species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal, plants grow 250-1700 m altitude. They grow in open places. In southern China it grows between 200-2,100 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are used for flavouring curries and pickles. The ripe fruit are eaten fresh.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

In China plants flower in April to October and fruit August to February. In India fruit are produced March to November.

Its other names

Local names

Adusoge, Asare, Bugaino, Kaipanarangi, Nim india, Pittamari Pohon cipadesa, Pohon ranabili, Potti, Pullipancheddi, Savattu chedi, Sidigolii

Synonyms

Melia baccifera Roth.; Cipadessa cinerascens (Pellegr.) Hand.-Mazz.; Cipadessa fruticosa Blume; and others