Azadiracha indica is the Neem tree, or Mwarubaini kamili. And should not be confused with Melia azedarach.
The name Mwarubaini means that the tree has forty uses but in modern times the tree has been found to have around sixty.
At our nursery we found that it was too cold for the tree to perform well, though down the mountain at the King'ori turnoff some people were able to grow the species. It grows very well in the Dar es Salaam area - hot and humid.
Description: A fast growing medium-sized tree up to 20 metres high. It usually has a dense leafy canopy. Bark is grey/pale brown, grooved and rough as the tree matures. Leaves are compound, glossy green 40 cm. Each leaflet curved and pointed - saw-toothed. Flowers small and creamy white, fragrant, hanging in long sprays. Fruit are oval, yellow berries when ripe, 2 cm, thin skinned with 1 or 2 oily seeds.
Uses: Bee forage, medicinal, shade, insecticide, oil, soap manufacture.
Propagation: There are about 5000 viable seeds per kg, but seed does not store well and should be sown fresh. There is no need to strip the flesh from the berry but a nick at the round end is helpful. Because of the oily nature of the seed, it rots quickly.
The wood is tough and resistant to termites and decay.
In areas such as Dar es Salaam, wildlings can become a weed problem.
Neem oil us used extensively as as a green (organic) insecticide.
The similarity to Melia which is easy to grow in cooler areas, causes confusion and there is an expectation that it has similar uses. It has not.
Baraka made a concoction of Melia and drank it as a 'detox' - it did that alright! Harisha is the term - violent dysentery.
At our nursery we found that it was too cold for the tree to perform well, though down the mountain at the King'ori turnoff some people were able to grow the species. It grows very well in the Dar es Salaam area - hot and humid.
Description: A fast growing medium-sized tree up to 20 metres high. It usually has a dense leafy canopy. Bark is grey/pale brown, grooved and rough as the tree matures. Leaves are compound, glossy green 40 cm. Each leaflet curved and pointed - saw-toothed. Flowers small and creamy white, fragrant, hanging in long sprays. Fruit are oval, yellow berries when ripe, 2 cm, thin skinned with 1 or 2 oily seeds.
Uses: Bee forage, medicinal, shade, insecticide, oil, soap manufacture.
Propagation: There are about 5000 viable seeds per kg, but seed does not store well and should be sown fresh. There is no need to strip the flesh from the berry but a nick at the round end is helpful. Because of the oily nature of the seed, it rots quickly.
The wood is tough and resistant to termites and decay.
In areas such as Dar es Salaam, wildlings can become a weed problem.
Neem oil us used extensively as as a green (organic) insecticide.
The similarity to Melia which is easy to grow in cooler areas, causes confusion and there is an expectation that it has similar uses. It has not.
Baraka made a concoction of Melia and drank it as a 'detox' - it did that alright! Harisha is the term - violent dysentery.
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