Pride of China

Scientific Names

Melia azedarach L.
Mahogany family

Common Names

Azedarach
Africa lilac
Bead tree
China-berry
China-tree
Hagbush
Hop-tree
Pride of India
Pride tree
Sen-shu (Chinese name)
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Pride of China is a deciduous tree; grow to 40 feet high or more, the thick trunk has spreading branches and is covered with furrowed bark. The alternated, bipinnate leaves are from 1-3 feet long and have numerous pointed, sharply serrate or lobed leaflets that range in shape from ovate and elliptic to lanceolate. The purplish, fragrant flowers grow in long-peduncled panicles, blooming in early spring. The fruit is a nearly round, yellow drupe from 1/2 to 3/4 inch across.
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Where Found

Native to southwestern Asia but widely cultivated and naturalized in the West Indies and the southern United States.
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Medicinal Properties

Anthelmintic, astringent, bitter tonic, emetic, emmenagogue, purgative
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Uses

Root bark acts as a purgative or emetic, especially in large doses. Also said to promote the onset of menstruation. In India, the bark of the tree, bitter and astringent, is used as a tonic. The seeds and oil of the fruit promote the elimination of intestinal worms. The tree also exudes a gum which has been considered by some to have aphrodisiac powers.
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Bibliography

Chinese Medicinal Herbs, compiled by Shih-Chen Li, Georgetown Press, San Francisco, California, 1973.

Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984