Persian lilac

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bead Tree
• Cape Lilac
• Lilac
• Carolina Mahogany
• White Cedar
• Cape-lilac
• Persian-lilac
• Sichuan pagoda-tree
• Texas umbrella-tree
• chinaberry-tree
• syringa berrytree
• tulip-cedar
• umbrella-cedar
• umbrella-tree
• white-cedar
• Berry Tree
• Cape Syringa
• China Tree
• China-Berry
• Chinaberrytree
• Chinese Umbrella
• Chinese Umbrella Tree
• Indian Lilac
• Japanese Bead Tree
• Pride Of China
• Pride Of Persia
• Red Seringea
• Seringa
• South African Syringa
• Syrian Bead Tree
• Syringa
• Syringatree
• Texas Umbrella Tree
• Umbrella tree
• lelah
• paraiso

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Azedarach fraxinifolia
• Melia australasica
• Melia azedarach var. intermedia
• Melia arguta
• Melia azedarach subvar. albiflora
• Azedarach sempervirens var. australasica
• Melia angustifolia
• Melia composita var. biglandulosa
• Melia orientalis
• Melia japonica var. albicans
• Melia guineensis
• Melia azedarach var. incisa
• Melia javanica
• Melia azedarach var. acuminatissima
• Melia japonica
• Melia toosendan
• Melia azedarach var. squamulosa
• Melia azedarach var. floribunda
• Melia sambucina
• Melia azedarach var. javanica
• Melia azedarach var. glandulosa
• Melia cochinchinensis
• Melia azedarach var. umbraculiformis
• Melia chinensis
• Melia composita var. cochinchinensis
• Melia candollei
• Melia azedarach var. cochinchinensis
• Melia azedarach var. biglandulosa
• Melia bogoriensis
• Melia azedarach subvar. semperflorens
• Melia bombolo
• Melia azedarach subvar. toosendan
• Melia robusta
• Melia azedarach subvar. intermedia
• Melia sempervirens
• Melia azedarach f. albiflora
• Melia floribunda
• Melia azedarach var. japonica
• Melia azedarach f. umbraculifera
• Azedarach deleteria
• Azedarach sempervirens
• Melia azedarach var. toosendan
• Melia texana
• Melia azedarach var. sambucina
• Melia azedarach var. australasica
• Melia azedarach var. sempervirens
• Melia azedarach f. albiflora
• Melia japonica var. semperflorens
• Melia azedarach var. subtripinnata
• Melia aethiopica
• Melia superba
• Melia azedarach var. umbraculifera
• Azedarach commelinii
• Azedarach sempervirens f. incisodentata
• Azedarach sempervirens f. longifoliola
• Azedarach sempervirens f. subdentata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Meliaceae and falls under the genus Melia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several regions in Europe. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing throughout France, Portugal, and Spain. Its range also extends into Southeastern Europe, where it is established in Albania. Additionally, the species is widely distributed within the country of Italy. These locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various Mediterranean-influenced climates.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Melia azedarach is characterized by its adaptability across a diverse range of biomes and significant altitudinal gradients. It thrives in various environments, including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This plant exhibits a broad elevational distribution, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2400 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Genetics

The genetics of Melia azedarach are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its cytogenetic profile. The species possesses a chromosome number of 28, a fundamental genomic feature that facilitates its reproductive stability and evolutionary lineage within the Meliaceae family. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a diploid ploidy level of 2, indicating that its cells contain two complete sets of chromosomes. This stable diploid genome provides the genetic foundation for the plant's phenotypic expression and its capacity to maintain complex biochemical pathways essential for its medicinal properties.

Chromosome number :

28

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Melia azedarach is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs well above the ground, typically developing into a robust tree structure. Furthermore, the species exhibits a deciduous growth habit, shedding its leaves seasonally as part of its natural phenological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Melia azedarach is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence. As a self-supporting species, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as lianas or vines, instead maintaining an erect shoot orientation. The plant displays significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 40 m, though it typically reaches an average height of approximately 12 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melia azedarach is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits an alternate leaf arrangement, featuring lanceolate leaf forms that vary significantly in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 80 cm, and leaf widths spanning from 1 cm to 30 cm. It is a non-succulent species, lacking specialized water-storage tissues, and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on soil nitrogen rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Furthermore, the structural integrity of the plant is supported by a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 496 mg/cm³, reflecting its wood density and mechanical properties.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf length max:

80 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

30 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

496 mg/cm³

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melia azedarach is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and complex fruit and seed development. The plant produces violet-colored flowers arranged in panicles, with inflorescence lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.25 m. These flowers are relatively small, with widths measuring between 0.2 cm and 0.3 cm. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in May. Following pollination, the plant develops fleshy, brown drupe-type fruits that are indehiscent. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 1.6 cm and a width that ranges from 0.6 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm (averaging 1.2 cm). The seeds contained within these fruits exhibit significant variation in mass, ranging from a minimum of 0.014 g to a maximum of 1.2089 g, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.373185975 g. Seed dimensions include a maximum length of 3.5 mm and a maximum width of 1.6 mm, while the seed volume is recorded at a consistent 760 mm³. Dispersal of the progeny is achieved through both zoochorous and anthropochorous syndromes, utilizing animals and human activity to spread the seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

violet

Flower width max:

0.3 cm

Flower width min:

0.2 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

1.6 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.2 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Inflorescence :

panicle

Inflorescence length max:

0.25 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.2 m

Seed length max:

3.5 mm

Seed mass max:

1.2089 g

Seed mass mean:

0.373185975 g

Seed mass min:

0.014 g

Seed volume max:

760 mm³

Seed width max:

1.6 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Melia azedarach has 5 reported plant parts identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, root, stem, seed.

Leaf

1. International journal of nanomedicine
2. Fitoterapia
3. Pharmaceutical biology
4. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
5. Pharmacognosy research

Fruit

1. Planta medica
2. PeerJ
3. Japanese journal of pharmacology
4. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
5. Journal of parasitic diseases : official organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology

Root

1. Fitoterapia
2. Pharmacognosy research
3. BMC biotechnology
4. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Stem

1. Fitoterapia
2. Phytochemistry

Seed

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Melia azedarach has 164 reported phytochemicals identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Saponins, Toosendanin, 1-Cinnamoyltrichilinin, Meldenin.

Flavonoids

1. International journal of nanomedicine
2. International journal of molecular sciences
3. Saudi journal of biological sciences
4. Integrative medicine research
5. Insects

Saponins

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences
2. Integrative medicine research
3. Insects

Toosendanin

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Phytochemistry
3. Chinese journal of natural medicines

1-Cinnamoyltrichilinin

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Planta medica

Meldenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Phenols

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences
2. Insects

RUTIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

STIGMASTEROL

1. Pharmacognosy research
2. BMC biotechnology

Terpenoids

1. International journal of nanomedicine
2. Integrative medicine research

melianin B

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Activities

Melia azedarach has 469 reported activities identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Anthelmintic, Antimicrobial.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of nanomedicine
3. BMC biotechnology
4. PloS one
5. Natural product research

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Saudi journal of biological sciences
4. Phytotherapy research : PTR
5. International journal of molecular sciences

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. International journal of nanomedicine
4. Pharmaceutical biology
5. Natural product research

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
4. Parasitology research

Antimicrobial

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Heliyon
3. Saudi journal of biological sciences
4. Natural product research

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of nanomedicine
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
4. Natural product research

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. International journal of nanomedicine

Antilithic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Diuretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC biotechnology

Conditions

Melia azedarach has 49 reported investigations on conditions identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria, Staphylococcus aureus, asthma, cancer, inflammation.

Malaria

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. BMC biotechnology
3. African journal of health sciences

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Asthma

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Cancer

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Antidepressant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antidiabetic

1. International journal of nanomedicine

Antioxidant

1. International journal of nanomedicine

Bacillus subtilis

1. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Enterobacter aerogenes

1. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Melia azedarach has 35 reported preparations identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, aqueous extracts, ethanol leaf extract, 28-deacetylsendanin, 80 % methanol extracts.

Extracts

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. African journal of health sciences
4. International journal of molecular sciences

Aqueous extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Scientific reports

Ethanol leaf extract

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Pharmacognosy research

28-deacetylsendanin

1. Antiviral research

80 % methanol extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Aqueous leaf extract

1. International journal of nanomedicine

Etoac extract

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Meoh extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Melianodiol

1. PeerJ

Ultrasound-assisted extraction

1. BMC biotechnology