Melia azedarach -- California

Evaluation Summary

photo by Forest and Kim Starr

Evaluation Date: 2022-06-24

Screener: Lauren Quon

Plant: Melia azedarach

Common Name(s):

Chinaberry tree, Pride of India, bead-tree, Cape-lilac, White Cedar

State: California

PRE Score: 18

Questions Answered: 20

Screener Confidence (%): 75

Executive Summary

Chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.) is a tree considered native to southeastern Asia and eastern Australia. It is not native to North America, and occurs across the United States and Mexico. Chinaberry has a deciduous habit in North America, typically with a single trunk and rounded crown. It has dark green leaves that are 2 to 3 times compound, and a loose, many-flowered, stalked panicle inflorescence. Chinaberry flowers between late spring and early summer in California and other parts of the world. Plants can grow to 75 feet tall and have a 96 ft canopy spread in the U.S. Chinaberry can tolerate a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. Older trees resist frost. Temperature tolerance may be one factor that allows China berry to occupy a wide range of habitats across the world.

Chinaberry was introduced in the U.S. as an ornamental plant, but easily escapes cultivation and invades disturbed areas and wildlands. It occupies a wide range of habitats across the U.S. In Texas and forms dense stands that reduce light for understory plants. In Hawaii, Chinaberry threatens native Hawaiian vegetation communities. In California, Chinaberry has started to invade wildands. In Georgia, Chinaberry is ranked as a Category 1 invasive species because it invades and displaces native plant communities.

Although its growth habit and location are variable across different states, its impact remains the same: Chinaberry is a significant threat to native plant communities.

Climate Matching Map

Climate Matching Map PDF

Attachment	Size
ClimateMatch_CA_Melia_azedarach.pdf (1.36 MB)	1.36 MB

1. Question 1

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

Very High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry was introduced as an ornamental to the United States (specifically in South Carolina and Georgia) in 1830. Chinaberry is thought to be native to southeastern Asia and northern Australia (Preston and McClintock 2012, Flora of China). It readily escapes from cultivated areas, expanding into disturbed areas and wildlands in its introduced range (Becking 2021). Chinaberry is naturalized in parts of central and southern Australia, southern Europe, southern and eastern Africa, southern USA, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, tropical southern America, and many Pacific Islands- including Hawaii and Fiji (BioNET-EAFRINET 2011, PIER). Chinaberry is ranked as a high risk (score of 14) invasive plant on the Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) website (http://www.hear.org/pier/species/melia_azedarach.htm). It is also naturalized in California (McClintock and Preston 2012).

Reference(s)

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

Project, BioNET-EAFRINET UVIMA. 2011. “Factsheet - Melia Azedarach (Melia)”. https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Melia_azedarach__(Melia).htm.

Preston, Robert E, and Elizabeth McClintock. 2012. “Jepson EFlora - Meliaceae”. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=33069.

2. Question 2

Yes or No

Yes

Points

2

Confidence

Very High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry is noted as naturalized in California wildlands (Preston and, 2012). It is also noted as being naturalized in Australia and south Africa, which have similar climates to the U.S. (see Climate Matching Map and other website sources). Other than the US, Chinaberry occurs in Mexico, South America, Europe, South Africa, and Australia (according to the Climate Matching Map).

Reference(s)

2022. “GBIF - Melia Azedarach”. GBIF\textemdashthe Global Biodiversity Information Facility. https://www.gbif.org/species/5914287.

Preston, Robert E, and Elizabeth McClintock. 2012. “Jepson EFlora - Meliaceae”. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=33069.

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

3. Question 3

Yes or No

Yes

Points

2

Confidence

Very High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry is noted as being invasive in the U.S. It is a Category 1 weed in Georgia and is invading wildlands in California. In Georgia, a Category 1 weed is defined as an exotic plant that is a serious problem in natural areas by extensively invading native plant communities and displacing native species. It is also listed as invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council and the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council. It displaces native vegetation in Hawaii and other Pacific Islands.

Reference(s)

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

“List of Non-Native Invasive Plants in Georgia - Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council”. 2017. https://www.gaeppc.org/list/.

4. Question 4

Yes or No

Yes

Points

3

Confidence

Medium

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry has not been categorized as invasive yet in California but is broadly naturalized there (Preston and McClintock 2012, Calflora 2023). Chinaberry occurs in along the west coast, from southern to central California (Waggy 2009, Wiggins 1980, Preston and McClintock 2012). It is listed as an invasive species in Texas by the Texas Invasive Species Institute (2014), where climate is similar to California according to the Climate Match tool.

Reference(s)

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

Preston, Robert E, and Elizabeth McClintock. 2012. “Jepson EFlora - Meliaceae”. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=33069.

Institute, Texas Invasive Species. 2014. “Chinaberry Tree: Texas Invasive Species Institute”. http://www.tsusinvasives.org/home/database/melia-azedarach.

5. Question 5

Yes or No

No

Points

0

Confidence

Low

Answer / Justification

There are other Melia species that are cultivated for other uses, but there is not enough information about whether these species invade areas with similar climates. There are other species within the same family (Meliacaeae) that are listed as invasive (Guarea genus), but these species are not invasive in similar climates. There is currently not enough information available about whether other species in the genus Melia are also invasive in similar climates.

Reference(s)

No references cited.

6. Question 6

Yes or No

No

Points

0

Confidence

High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry is found in climates matching the region of concern; plants occur in areas of similar climates to California, such as Australia, Europe, Mexico, and South Africa (see climate matching map). However, Chinaberry also occurs in a large range of environments that do not match that of California, including eastern North America and southeast Asia.

Reference(s)

2022. “GBIF - Melia Azedarach”. GBIF\textemdashthe Global Biodiversity Information Facility. https://www.gbif.org/species/5914287.

Project, BioNET-EAFRINET UVIMA. 2011. “Factsheet - Melia Azedarach (Melia)”. https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Melia_azedarach__(Melia).htm.

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

7. Question 7

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry tree grows as an overstory tree and readily establishes in sunlight. It invades native plant communities and can establish in early successional stages of communities in disturbed areas. It displaces native vegetation in Hawaii, where it was introduced in 1840.

Reference(s)

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

Institute, Texas Invasive Species. 2014. “Chinaberry Tree: Texas Invasive Species Institute”. http://www.tsusinvasives.org/home/database/melia-azedarach.

8. Question 8

Yes or No

No

Points

0

Confidence

Low

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry can vigorously regenerate/sprout from roots and stumps after fire, and seeds can germinate and sprout after fire. Prescribed fire is not a recommended control method for Chinaberry infestations. There is not much information on whether Chinaberry changes fire regimes in North America.

Reference(s)

No references cited.

9. Question 9

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry fruit is toxic to humans and animals. The fruits cause gastrointestinal problems in livestock. China berry can invade grasslands and meadows, which may be areas where livestock graze and can be exposed to toxic fruits. Chinaberry can be used for wood, fuel, ornamental decoration, pesticides, and potential medicinal uses.

Reference(s)

Institute, Texas Invasive Species. n.d. “Chinaberry Tree: Texas Invasive Species Institute”. http://www.tsusinvasives.org/home/database/melia-azedarach.

Project, BioNET-EAFRINET UVIMA. 2011. “Factsheet - Melia Azedarach (Melia)”. https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Melia_azedarach__(Melia).htm.

“List of Non-Native Invasive Plants in Georgia - Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council”. 2017. https://www.gaeppc.org/list/.

“Melia Azedarach (Bead Tree, China Ball Tree, Chinaball Tree, Chinaberry, Chinaberry Tree, China Tree, Japanese Bead Tree, Paradise Tree, Persian Lilac, Pride-of-India, Syringa, Texas Umbrella Tree, White Cedar)”. n.d. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/melia-azedarach/.

Ferreiro, D., J. P. Orozco, Mir\ on, T. Real, Hern\ andez-Moreno, F. Soler, and M. P\ erez-L\ opez. 2010. “Chinaberry Tree (Melia Azedarach) Poisoning in Dog: A Case Report”. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 25: 64\textendash67. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2009.07.001.

10. Question 10

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

Very High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry can form dense monocultures that impact animal/livestock movement and may cause safety issues on roadsides. It is often described as a "weedy tree" and has many qualities of a successful weed (Waggy 2009, North Caroline State University Extension, accessed 2022). Chinaberry where invasive, can grow in dense stands that outcompete native plant species and prevent regeneration of shrubs and trees (BNET).

Reference(s)

Project, BioNET-EAFRINET UVIMA. 2011. “Factsheet - Melia Azedarach (Melia)”. https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Melia_azedarach__(Melia).htm.

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

“Melia Azedarach (Bead Tree, China Ball Tree, Chinaball Tree, Chinaberry, Chinaberry Tree, China Tree, Japanese Bead Tree, Paradise Tree, Persian Lilac, Pride-of-India, Syringa, Texas Umbrella Tree, White Cedar)”. n.d. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/melia-azedarach/.

11. Question 11

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

Very High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry can reproduce (produce seeds) and spread vegetatively to form dense stands restricting/crowding native species growth (BioNET-EAFRINET 2011, Waggy 2009). Trees produced from sprouts may grow faster and reproduce earlier than trees produced from seed (Tourn et al. 1999).

Reference(s)

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

Project, BioNET-EAFRINET UVIMA. 2011. “Factsheet - Melia Azedarach (Melia)”. https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Melia_azedarach__(Melia).htm.

“Melia Azedarach (Bead Tree, China Ball Tree, Chinaball Tree, Chinaberry, Chinaberry Tree, China Tree, Japanese Bead Tree, Paradise Tree, Persian Lilac, Pride-of-India, Syringa, Texas Umbrella Tree, White Cedar)”. n.d. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/melia-azedarach/.

12. Question 12

Yes or No

No

Points

0

Confidence

Low

Answer / Justification

There is no evidence that detached china berry fragments naturally produce new plants.
Chinaberry can be propagated from cuttings, root suckers, and adventurous buds. Vegetative reproduction is likely common when plants are damaged at the stumps or roots, not so much from detached fragments in the wild (but probably more common in a nursery setting). Plants spread vegetatively in disturbed areas and wildlands.

Reference(s)

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

13. Question 13

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry seeds can be viable for at least 1 year kept in dry storage.
A PRE evaluation from Georgia and Trees of Southern Africa state that seeds are viable up to 2 years.

Reference(s)

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

14. Question 14

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry is a prolific seeder, producing many panicles with fruits that each contain up to six seeds (Bonner and Karrfalt 2008). Viability is also high: approximately 50% of seeds germinated (50% seed viability rate) in a laboratory setting within 4 weeks (Hong and Ellis 1998).

Reference(s)

No references cited.

15. Question 15

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

Medium

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry has a short period of dormancy prior to germination, and seeds can be expected to germinate within 3-4 weeks of sowing. In a controlled laboratory setting, approximately 50% of the seeds germinated within 4 weeks (Hong and Ellis 1998). Dormancy may be broken by warm or cold stratification.

Reference(s)

No references cited.

16. Question 16

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

High

Answer / Justification

Chinaberry may begin flowering while it is early in its development, thus producing fruit and seed if pollination is successful. There is not much information available on this subject, but trees produced from sprouts can also reproduce earlier than trees produced from seed (Tourn et al. 1999).

Reference(s)

No references cited.

17. Question 17

Yes or No

No

Points

0

Confidence

Medium

Answer / Justification

In California, chinaberry flowers between May through July, suggesting that seed production is once per year, but may happen over a long/extended period of time (Preston and McClintock 2012).

Reference(s)

Preston, Robert E, and Elizabeth McClintock. 2012. “Jepson EFlora - Meliaceae”. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=33069.

18. Question 18

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

High

Answer / Justification

Propagules can be dispersed by birds and animals. In Texas, seeds are spread widely by birds and water, often far from the parent plant (Reemts 2008, Waggy 2009). Although the fruits are toxic to humans, birds are able to eat the fruit and disperse seed through their droppings, according to the Atlas of Living Australia. In Africa, seeds are dispersed by water and birds.

Reference(s)

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

Reemts, Charlotte. 2008. “Fact Sheet: Chinaberry”. http://nc-ipc.weebly.com/uploads/6/8/4/6/6846349/chinaberry.pdf.

19. Question 19

Yes or No

Yes

Points

1

Confidence

High

Answer / Justification

In Texas, seeds are spread widely by water, often far from the parent plant (Reemts 2008, Waggy 2009). Seed dispersal by water may take place during flash flood events. In Africa, seeds are dispersed by water.

Reference(s)

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

Reemts, Charlotte. 2008. “Fact Sheet: Chinaberry”. http://nc-ipc.weebly.com/uploads/6/8/4/6/6846349/chinaberry.pdf.

Institute, Texas Invasive Species. 2014. “Chinaberry Tree: Texas Invasive Species Institute”. http://www.tsusinvasives.org/home/database/melia-azedarach.

20. Question 20

Yes or No

No

Points

0

Confidence

Medium

Answer / Justification

Although plants and seeds have been consciously introduced by humans (brought over for cultivation in 1830 and dispersed further by humans), there is no evidence that Chinaberry is a seed contaminant of crops or spread significantly via equipment, clothing, or shoes.

Reference(s)

Waggy, Melissa A. 2009. “Melia Azedarach. In Fire Effects Information System”. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html.

Institute, Texas Invasive Species. 2014. “Chinaberry Tree: Texas Invasive Species Institute”. http://www.tsusinvasives.org/home/database/melia-azedarach.

Project, BioNET-EAFRINET UVIMA. 2011. “Factsheet - Melia Azedarach (Melia)”. https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Melia_azedarach__(Melia).htm.

“Melia Azedarach: Info from PIER (PIER Species Info)”. 2004. http://hear.its.hawaii.edu/pier/species/melia_azedarach.htm.

Evaluation Notes

* Note: Had some difficulty adding references- uploading links were not functioning at the time this evaluation was created and filled out.

Most information was sourced from: Waggy, Melissa, A. 2009. Melia azedarach. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/melaze/all.html [2022, June 19].

A PRE evaluation completed by Lila Uzzell also informs the status of Chinaberrytree (Melia azedarach) in Georgia, U.S.A. Information provided in this evaluation is similar to the information in the PRE evaluation completed for Georgia, with the addition of a few details about seed dispersal and germination.

____

May 24 2023 - J. Burger made some revisions to the text and scoring of this PRE based on available literature and reviewer feedback.

Total PRE Score

PRE Score

18

Questions Answered

20

Screener Confidence (%)

75

PRE Score Legend

The PRE Score is calculated by adding the point totals for each (answered) question.

< 13 : Low Potential Risk
13 - 15 : Moderate Potential Risk
> 15 : High Potential Risk

Questions Answered Legend

It is important to answer at least 16 questions to consider a PRE Score as "valid".

≥ 16 : Valid (80% or more questions answered)
≤ 15 : Invalid (not enough questions answered)

Evaluation Credits and Citation

Screener: Lauren Quon

Below is a recommend citation when referencing this evaluation in other works:

Quon, Lauren. "Melia azedarach -- California" Plant Risk Evaluator (PRE) published 2022-06-24 https://pretool.org/evaluations/1779

Please cite this evaluation. We need your support here!

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Evaluation Reviewers

	Michael Chamberland	reviewed on 2023-05-24
	Elizabeth Brusati	reviewed on 2023-03-01
	Jutta Burger	reviewed on 2022-09-02
	Alex Simmons	reviewed on 2022-08-10

Associated Project

2022 Western IPM Grant Project

"Expanding Continuity and Capacity in Invasive Plant Risk Assessments across Western States" is a continuation of the successful 2021 project titled "Building Continuity Across State Invasvie Plant Lists: Evaluating Invasive Risk of Horticultural Plants." Both 2021 and 2022's projects are funded by the Western Integrated Pest Management Center. Project partners for this year inclue the California Invasive Plant Council, PlantRight, The University of Arizona, Western Invasive Species Network, Pacific Northwest Invasive Species Council, the Yurok Tribe, and Nevada State Parks.

Associated Organizations, Agencies, and Institutions

California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC)