Melia azedarach has many common names, including Chinaberry Tree, Pride of India, Bead-Tree, and Indian Lilac. It is a fast-growing deciduous species in the Mahogany family, Meliaceae, native to Indomalaya and Australasia region.

 

The adult tree has a rounded crown and can attain a height of about 40 meters in closed, moist forest conditions. However, it is much smaller in the cooler and drier regions where it is most likely to be just 10 to15 meters tall.

 

The main utility of the chinaberry tree is its medium density timber. It is a very important tree species for local people as it provides a wide range of medicinal applications. It is also as an insecticide and repellent. The chinaberry tree provides useful timber, fodder and many other commodities. It is also a preferred species for reforestation in its native areas because of its fast-growing nature and aesthetic crown appearance.