Meliaceae Azadirachta indica A. Juss.

| |	© W.D. Hawthorne

Keywords in this picture :

• Flower
• Inflorescence
• Flower part
• Flower & fruit
• Plant parts

Places where this species can be found :

• Grenada - GRENADA

Species information

Description
Two varieties of Neem and another species of Azadirachta occur in Asia.

Interest
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 & 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.

Specimen information

Collector
Hawthorne, W.D.

Specimen Number
s.n.