Overview
Melia azedarach is known by many common names including Chinaberry Tree, Syringa Berrytree and Cape Lilac. This plant is a large spreading tree from the Meliaceae family. It produces attractive, scented lilac flowers which lead onto bead-like fruits. The leaves can reach up to 80cm in length, they are dark green and oppositely arranged on stems. Cape Lilac can grow up to 23m high with reddish-brown, smooth bark. Often grown in South Africa as street trees or in large gardens for shade. The tree is a good source of timber and the dried berries were used as beads. The leaves, bark, flowers and ripe fruit (berries) are poisonous.
