Meliaceae
Melia azedarach
Chinaberry · Mwarubaine
T
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This deciduous tree typically reaches 7-12 metres in height, featuring a rounded crown and bark that is smooth and grey-brown when young, becoming fissured with age. Its fragrant lilac flowers emerge in clusters, followed by distinctive marble-sized, yellow-brown drupes that persist on the tree through winter. Although the fruits are toxic to humans, the tree is valued for its timber, shade, and as livestock fodder.
Where it works in Kilifi
An adaptable specimen for a Kilifi-coast garden, this tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of well-drained soils, including sandy and saline conditions. It is ideal for providing shade, as an ornamental, or for agroforestry, but its prolific seeding and invasive potential in some regions should be noted.
Growing notes
This fast-growing tree typically has a short lifespan of around 20 years and is drought-tolerant once established, preferring moderate watering. While generally hardy to frosts, it can suffer from termite attack in drier Kenyan areas. Exercise caution, as its fruits are highly poisonous to humans and some mammals, and the species has invasive tendencies due to prolific, bird-dispersed seeds and root suckers.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: treesandshrubsonline.org, wikipedia.org, anbg.gov.au, ufl.edu, vdberk.com, ask-ayurveda.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.