Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Tree
  
Tree
  
Origin
India, China
  
North America, United States, Southwestern United States, California, Mexico
  
Types
Bead tree
  
Lebombo ironwood, Giant ironwood
  
Habitat
Forest margins, Roadsides
  
Desert, Dry areas
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-15
  
8-12
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-7
  
12-9
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
  
Habit
Oval or Rounded
  
Spreading
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Lavender
  
White, Light Pink, Lavender
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Yellow
  
Chocolate, Black
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Dark Green
  
Gray Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
  
Gray Green, Gray
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
  
Gray Green, Gray
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
  
Gray Green, Gray
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Pinnate
  
Small oblong
  
Thorns
No
  
Yes
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Slow
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Average
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring
  
Late Spring
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Cold climate, Drought, Pollution, Soil Compaction, Variety of soil types
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Ground
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Rooted stem cutting, Seedlings, Stem Planting
  
Transplanting
  
Plant Maintenance
Low
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Medium, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Water daily during growing season, Water less during winter
  
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water
  
In Summer
Ample Water
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Less Watering
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Less Watering
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun
  
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove deadheads
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
Fertilize every year, fertilize in growing season, Less fertilizing
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
Pests and Diseases
Insects, Red blotch
  
Red blotch
  
Plant Tolerance
Cold climate, Drought, Variety of soil types
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
Yes
  
Foliage Texture
Coarse
  
Fine
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
Yes
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
  
Butterflies
  
Allergy
Toxic
  
Not Available
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
No Beauty Benefits
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
No
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Absorbs greenhouse gases, Absorbs huge amounts of CO2, Air purification, Amazing growth rate, Erosion control, Food for birds, Food for insects, Forms dense stands, Nesting sites for birds, No fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides needed, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Soil protection, soil stabilisation, Used to establish native woodland, Very little waste, Wildlife, Windbreak
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
No Medicinal Use
  
Not Available
  
Part of Plant Used
Seeds, Stem, Tree trunks
  
Seeds, Stem
  
Other Uses
Air freshner, Showy Purposes, Used as firewood, Used as Ornamental plant, Wood is used for making furniture, Wood is used for ship building, Wood is used fore making tools, Wood is used in construction, Wood log is used in making fences
  
Carvings, Knife handles
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Shade Trees
  
Rock Garden / Wall, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees
  
Botanical Name
MELIA azedarach
  
OLNEYA tesota
  
Common Name
Chinaberry Tree
  
Ironwood
  
In Hindi
Chinaberry ट्री
  
रेगिस्तान आइरनवुड
  
In German
Chinaberry -Baum
  
Wüsteneisenholz
  
In French
Chinaberry Arbre
  
désert Ironwood
  
In Spanish
Chinaberry Arbre
  
Ironwood desierto
  
In Greek
chinaberry Δέντρο
  
Ironwood έρημο
  
In Portuguese
azederaque
  
deserto Ironwood
  
In Polish
azederaque
  
pustynia Ironwood
  
In Latin
Chinaberry ligno
  
desert ironwood
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Sapindales
  
Fabales
  
Family
Meliaceae
  
Fabaceae
  
Genus
Melia
  
Olneya
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Melieae
  
Robinieae
  
Subfamily
Meloideae
  
Faboideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available
  
Not Available