description
Azadirachta indica is a tree in the mahogany family, Meliaceae. Neem is a
fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15–20 meters (49–66 ft), rarely
to 35–40 meters (115–130 ft). It is evergreen, but in severe drought it may
shed most or nearly all of its leaves. The branches are wide and spreading.
The fairly dense crown is round and may reach a diameter of 15–20 meters
(49–66 ft) in old, free-standing specimens. The neem tree is very similar in
appearance to its relative, the Chinaberry (Melia azedarach).
The opposite, pinnate leaves are 20–40 centimeters (7.9–16 in) long, with 20
to 31 medium to dark green leaflets about 3–8 centimeters (1.2–3.1 in) long.
The terminal leaflet is often missing. The petioles are short.
The white, fragrant flowers grow in more-or-less drooping axillary
panicles which are up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long. The inflorescences, which
branch up to the third degree, bear from 150 to 250 flowers. An individual
flower is 5–6 millimeters (0.20–0.24 in) long and 8–11 millimeters (0.31–0.43
in) wide. Protandrous, bisexual flowers and male flowers exist on the same
individual tree.
The fruit is a smooth (glabrous) olive-like drupe which varies in shape from
elongate oval to nearly round, and when ripe is 1.4–2.8 centimeters (0.55–1.1
in) by 1.0–1.5 centimeters (0.39–0.59 in). The fruit skin (exocarp) is thin and
the bitter-sweet pulp (mesocarp) is yellowish-white and very fibrous. The
mesocarp is 0.3–0.5 centimeters (0.12–0.20 in) thick. The white, hard inner
shell (endocarp) of the fruit encloses one, rarely two or three, elongated seeds
(kernels) having a brown seed coat.
common names & nomenclature
The common name neem is from the Hindi word nim and the Sanskrit word nimba.
Also known as:
neem, indian lilac, nimtree and village pharmacy, heal all
