Azadirachta indica

• Overview
• Interesting Facts
• Common Names
• Description
• Biology
• Taxonomy
• Similar Species
• More Info
• Further Reading
• Notes

Overview

Tree from SE Asia and East Indies yielding an antiseptic resin used medicinally and in toothpaste, soaps, and lotions.

Probably native of Burma, widely cultivated in OW tropics, spread by bats. It has long been cultivated in from India to Indonesia, and was taken by in the 19th C to Fiji, Africa and Guyana; in many dry forest or savanna areas it has become abundantly naturalised. 50,000 trees have recently been planted near Mecca in Saudi Arabia as shade for pilgrims (Hanum and Van der Maesen, 1997). An extremely valuable multipurpose tree with all parts being used, for construction, medicine, food, and insecticide . Timber used as a mahogany substitute. Edible leaves adnb flowers. Leaves and seeds provide a source of the powerful insecticide Azadirachtin. Used medicinally against scabies and many other skin diseases, especially when soaked in water used for bathing, and as a post-coital contraceptive. A spermicide contraceptive made from it is sold in India. Introduced in Grenada. In India, oil from the seeds is used extensivle in India. Seeds and leaves (mixed in with grain in stores) are used as a natural insecticide, containing azadirechtin.

Interesting Facts

Common Names

Click on the language to view common names.

Description

Physical Description

Biology

Growth

Culture: Space 8-10' apart.

Soil: Minimum pH: 6.6 • Maximum pH: 7.5

Sunlight: Sun Exposure: Full Sun .

Moisture: Drought Tolerance: High

Temperature: Cold Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11. (map)

Taxonomy

Synonyms

Antelaea azadirachta (L.) Adelb. • Melia azadirachta L.

Notes

Publishing author : A.Juss. Publication : M?m. Mus. Par. xix. (1830) 221 (Mel. 69). (1830)

Similar Species

Members of the genus Azadirachta

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 3 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars in this genus:

A. excelsa (Philippines Neem Tree) · A. indica (Margosa Tree) · A. indica var. siamensis (Indian-Lilac)

More Info

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Further Reading

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• A handbook of tropical gardening and planting, with special reference to Ceylon, by H. F. Macmillan. .. Colombo, H.W. Cave & co., 1914. url , p. 40, p. 440, p. 595.
• A manual of Indian timbers; an account of the growth, distribution, and uses of the trees and shrubs of India and Ceylon with descriptions of their wood-structure, by J. S. Gamble... London: S. Low, Marston & co. ltd., 1902. url p. 768.
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Notes

Contributors

• Bisby, F.A., Y.R. Roskov, M.A. Ruggiero, T.M. Orrell, L.E. Paglinawan, P.W. Brewer, N. Bailly, J. van Hertum, eds (2007). Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2007 Annual Checklist. Species 2000: Reading, U.K.
• Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-present. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Zwaag, The Netherlands. Accessed January 10, 2012.
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed November 17, 2007. http://www.gbif.org Mediated distribution data from 6 providers.
• Ruggiero M., Gordon D., Bailly N., Kirk P., Nicolson D. (2011). The Catalogue of Life Taxonomic Classification, Edition 2, Part A. In: Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2011 Annual Checklist (Bisby F.A., Roskov Y.R., Orrell T.M., Nicolson D., Paglinawan L.E., Bailly N., Kirk P.M., Bourgoin T., Baillargeon G., Ouvrard D., eds). DVD; Species 2000: Reading, UK.
• The International Plant Names Index. Accessed Dec 27, 2011.
• USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL (April 25, 2008)

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 17, 2007:

• Australian National Herbarium
• , Australian National Herbarium
• Herbarium of the University of Aarhus, The AAU Herbarium Database
• Herbier de la Guyane, Herbier de la Guyane
• Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad
• , Biodiversidad de Costa Rica
• Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden

Identifiers

• Biodiversity Heritage Library NamebankID: 2652397
• Catalogue of Life Accepted Name Code: ITS-29012
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility Taxonkey: 13744251
• Globally Unique Identifier: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:577603-1
• GRIN Nomen Number: 6161
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 29012
• International Plant Names Index (IPNI) ID: 577603-1
• U.S.D.A. Plant Symbol: MEAZ2
• Zipcode Zoo Species Identifier: 21547

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