Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
neem tree
Family Name:
Meliaceae
Botanical Name:
Azadirachta indica
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
A drought-deciduous, fast-growing tree with pinnate leaves, a round crown, and fragrant white flowers.
Compound:
Aza ind
Geographic Origin:
India
Ecozone Origin:
Indomalaya
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Azadirachta indica is native to southern India where it grows in warm tropical to warm sub-tropical regions. The tree also grows prevalently in parts of Iran, the Middle East, and western Sub-Saharan Africa. A. indica’s drought resistance qualities help it spread to more arid conditions than its original habitat (4).
Cultivation Notes:
A. indica is cultivated widely in southern Asia as a shade crop. This tree is also cultivated for its medicinal and religious applications. A. indica is regarded as a weed in much of its non-native range because of its ability to spread so easily in both tropical and arid environments.
Ethnobotany:
The common name: ‘Neem’ is borrowed from the Hindi common name for the tree: ‘Nimm.’ The Latin ‘Azadirachtica’ has roots in the Persian ‘Azad derakht’ meaning ‘cherish.’ The tender shoots of the tree are used for traditional foods and medicines within India and the oil from the tree- Neem Oil- has many practical applications including but not limited to cosmetics, soaps, repellents, lubricants, resins, and gums (2,4). The Neem tree has long been a source of food and medicine, and holds cultural and religious significance in parts of south Asia.
Height:
50 - 100 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
White
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Tender
Water Use:
Low water Use
