Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Azadirachta indica A.Juss. (MELIACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Neem, Indian Lilac

Description

Evergreen to semi-deciduous medium-sized tree 15-20 m tall with dense rounded crown. Leaves 20-40 cm long, pinnately compound with terminal leaflets, 10-15 leaflets on each side of rachis. Flowers 5-6 mm across, white, fragrant, in loose clusters. Fruits 1.4-2.8 cm long, ellipsoid, yellowish.


Ecology

Tropical and semi-tropical forest.

Distribution

The Indian subcontinent.

Uses

Widely used as a traditional medicine. Young leaves and flowers are eaten as a vegetable in India. Often grown as an ornamental.