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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Melia azedarach''
| image = Chinaberry1216.JPG
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Melia azedarach in flower
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Meliaceae]]
| genus = ''Melia''
| species = '''''M. azedarach'''''
| binomial = ''Melia azedarach''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
Commonly called '''Persian Lilac''', '''White Cedar''', '''Cape Lilac''', '''Chinaberry''' or '''Bead Tree''', ''Melia azedarach''([[synonymy|syn.]] ''M. australis, M. japonica, M. sempervivens''), is a [[deciduous]] [[tree]] in the mahogany family [[Meliaceae]], native to [[India]], southern [[China]] and [[Australia]]. In [[South Africa]] it is commonly but erroneously called Syringa, which is in fact the lilac genus. The genus ''Melia'' includes four other species, occurring from southeast [[Asia]] to northern [[Australia]]. They are all deciduous or semi-[[evergreen]] small trees.
The adult tree has a rounded to upright top, and measures between 7 and 12 [[metre]]s in height. The [[flower]]s are small and fragrant, with five pale purple or lilac petals, growing in clusters. The [[fruit]] is a [[drupe]], marble-sized, light yellow at maturity, hanging on the tree all winter, and gradually becoming almost white.
Timber is of medium density, and ranges in colour from light brown to dark red. In appearance it is readily confused with the unrelated ''[[Tectona grandis]]'' (Burmese Teak). ''Melia azedarach'' in keeping with other members of the family ''[[Meliaceae]]'' has a timber of high quality, but is under-utilised. Seasoning is relatively simple in that planks dry without cracking or warping and are resistant to fungal infection.
The [[leaf|leaves]] are up to 50 cm long, alternate, long-petioled, 2 or 3 times compound (odd-pinnate); the [[leaflet]]s are dark green above and lighter green below, with serrate margins. They have been used as a natural [[insecticide]] to keep with stored [[food]], but must not be eaten as they are highly [[poison]]ous. A diluted [[infusion]] of leaves and trees has been used in the past to induce [[uterus]] relaxation.
The flowers are unattractive to [[bee]]s and [[Butterfly|butterflies]]. The hard, spherical seeds were widely used for making [[rosary|rosaries]] and other products requiring [[bead]]s, before their replacement by modern [[plastic]]s.
All parts of the [[plant]] are poisonous to [[human]]s if eaten. The toxic principles are tetranortriterpene neurotoxins and unidentified resins; it is found most concentrated in the fruits. Some [[bird]]s are able to eat the fruit, spreading the [[seed]]s in their droppings, but 15 [[gram]]s are a lethal dose for a 22-[[kilogram]] pig. The first symptoms of poisoning appear a few hours after ingestion. They may include loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, bloody faeces, stomach pain, pulmonary congestion, cardiac paralisis, rigidity, lack of coordination and general weakness. Death may take place after about 24 hours.
The plant was introduced around [[1830]] as an ornamental in the [[United States]] ([[South Carolina]] and [[Georgia (U.S. State)|Georgia]]) and widely planted in southern states. Today it is considered an [[invasive species]] as far north as [[Virginia]] and [[Oklahoma]].<ref>http://www.fleppc.org/ID_book/melia%20azederach.pdf</ref> But [[Nursery (horticulture)|nurseries]] continue to sell the trees, and seeds are also widely available. It has become naturalized to tropical and warm temperate regions of [[the Americas]] and is planted in similar climates around the world. Besides the problem of toxicity, its usefulness as a shade tree in urban areas is diminished by its tendency to sprout where unwanted and to turn sidewalks into dangerously slippery surfaces when the fruits fall. <br clear = left>
==Uses==
Cape Lilac is used in musical instrument making, as a top for the acoustic [[Stompbox]] and guitar inlays by Western Australian luthier [[Ellis Guitars]].
<gallery>
Image:Chinaberry_(1).jpg|A Chinaberry tree bearing fruit
Image:Chinaberry_at_fall_bearing_fruit_with_no_leaves.jpg|Fruit-bearing branches, after losing leaves in autumn
Image:Chinaberries1.jpg|Close-up of the Chinaberry fruit
Image:Melia_azedarach_trunk_bark01.jpg|Close-up of bark on Chinaberry trunk
Image:Starr 040514 0266 melia azedarach.jpg|A Chinaberry tree at [[Keokea, Maui|Keokea]], [[Maui]], [[Hawaii]]. Forest & Kim Starr, USGS
Image:Melia_azedarach_02.JPG|Leaves, flowers and fruits
</gallery>
==External links==
{{commons|Melia azedarach|Melia azedarach}}
*[http://www.ellisguitars.com/stompbox_cape_lilac_jarrah.html Melia azedarach in Musical Instruments: ''Melia azedarach'']
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [http://www.fleppc.org/ID_book/melia%20azederach.pdf Melia azederach] (PDF)
* [http://www.sertox.com.ar/es/info/faq/2004/01.htm SerTox] (in Spanish) - FAQ about toxic plants.
[[Category:Sapindales]]
[[Category:Poisonous plants]]
[[Category:Invasive plant species]]
[[Category:Flora of Queensland]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Melia azedarach''
| image = Chinaberry1216.JPG
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Melia azedarach in flower
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Meliaceae]]
| genus = ''Melia''
| species = '''''M. azedarach'''''
| binomial = ''Melia azedarach''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
Commonly called '''Persian Lilac''', '''White Cedar''', '''Cape Lilac''', '''Chinaberry''' or '''Bead Tree''', ''Melia azedarach''([[synonymy|syn.]] ''M. australis, M. japonica, M. sempervivens''), is a [[deciduous]] [[tree]] in the mahogany family [[Meliaceae]], native to [[India]], southern [[China]] and [[Australia]]. In [[South Africa]] it is commonly but erroneously called Syringa, which is in fact the lilac genus. The genus ''Melia'' includes four other species, occurring from southeast [[Asia]] to northern [[Australia]]. They are all deciduous or semi-[[evergreen]] small trees.
The adult tree has a rounded to upright top, and measures between 7 and 12 [[metre]]s in height. The [[flower]]s are small and fragrant, with five pale purple or lilac petals, growing in clusters. The [[fruit]] is a [[drupe]], marble-sized, light yellow at maturity, hanging on the tree all winter, and gradually becoming almost white.
Timber is of medium density, and ranges in colour from light brown to dark red. In appearance it is readily confused with the unrelated ''[[Tectona grandis]]'' (Burmese Teak). ''Melia azedarach'' in keeping with other members of the family ''[[Meliaceae]]'' has a timber of high quality, but is under-utilised. Seasoning is relatively simple in that planks dry without cracking or warping and are resistant to fungal infection.
The [[leaf|leaves]] are up to 50 cm long, alternate, long-petioled, 2 or 3 times compound (odd-pinnate); the [[leaflet]]s are dark green above and lighter green below, with serrate margins. They have been used as a natural [[insecticide]] to keep with stored [[food]], but must not be eaten as they are highly [[poison]]ous. A diluted [[infusion]] of leaves and trees has been used in the past to induce [[uterus]] relaxation.
The flowers are unattractive to [[bee]]s and [[Butterfly|butterflies]]. The hard, spherical seeds were widely used for making [[rosary|rosaries]] and other products requiring [[bead]]s, before their replacement by modern [[plastic]]s.
All parts of the [[plant]] are poisonous to [[human]]s if eaten. The toxic principles are tetranortriterpene neurotoxins and unidentified resins; it is found most concentrated in the fruits. Some [[bird]]s are able to eat the fruit, spreading the [[seed]]s in their droppings, but 15 [[gram]]s are a lethal dose for a 22-[[kilogram]] pig. The first symptoms of poisoning appear a few hours after ingestion. They may include loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, bloody faeces, stomach pain, pulmonary congestion, cardiac paralisis, rigidity, lack of coordination and general weakness. Death may take place after about 24 hours.
The plant was introduced around [[1830]] as an ornamental in the [[United States]] ([[South Carolina]] and [[Georgia (U.S. State)|Georgia]]) and widely planted in southern states. Today it is considered an [[invasive species]] as far north as [[Virginia]] and [[Oklahoma]].<ref>http://www.fleppc.org/ID_book/melia%20azederach.pdf</ref> But [[Nursery (horticulture)|nurseries]] continue to sell the trees, and seeds are also widely available. It has become naturalized to tropical and warm temperate regions of [[the Americas]] and is planted in similar climates around the world. Besides the problem of toxicity, its usefulness as a shade tree in urban areas is diminished by its tendency to sprout where unwanted and to turn sidewalks into dangerously slippery surfaces when the fruits fall. <br clear = left>
==Uses==
Cape Lilac is used in musical instrument making, as a top for the acoustic [[Stompbox]] and guitar inlays by Western Australian luthier [[Ellis Guitars]].
<gallery>
Image:Chinaberry_(1).jpg|A Chinaberry tree bearing fruit
Image:Chinaberry_at_fall_bearing_fruit_with_no_leaves.jpg|Fruit-bearing branches, after losing leaves in autumn
Image:Chinaberries1.jpg|Close-up of the Chinaberry fruit
Image:Melia_azedarach_trunk_bark01.jpg|Close-up of bark on Chinaberry trunk
Image:Starr 040514 0266 melia azedarach.jpg|A Chinaberry tree at [[Keokea, Maui|Keokea]], [[Maui]], [[Hawaii]]. Forest & Kim Starr, USGS
Image:Melia_azedarach_02.JPG|Leaves, flowers and fruits
</gallery>
==External links==
{{commons|Melia azedarach|Melia azedarach}}
*[http://www.ellisguitars.com/stompbox_cape_lilac_jarrah.html Melia azedarach in Musical Instruments: ''Melia azedarach'']
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [http://www.fleppc.org/ID_book/melia%20azederach.pdf Melia azederach] (PDF)
* [http://www.sertox.com.ar/es/info/faq/2004/01.htm SerTox] (in Spanish) - FAQ about toxic plants.
[[Category:Sapindales]]
[[Category:Poisonous plants]]
[[Category:Invasive plant species]]
[[Category:Flora of Queensland]]