Melia azedarach L., Meliaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 14 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: paraiso, paráisu

Chinese: lian

English: bead tree, Chinaberry, Indian lilac, margosa tree, Persian lilac, pride of India, Sichuan pagoda tree, syringa berrytree, white cedar

Fijian: bakain, dake

French: arbre à chapelets, lilas de Chine, lilas des Indes, lilas des Perse

Hawaiian: ‘ilinia, ‘inia

Japanese: sendan

Kwara‘ae: buriakalo

Mangarevan: paina

Maori (Cook Islands): tīra

Nauruan: gadong, gadung

Niuean: sili, tili

Pohnpeian: lelah

Spanish: jasmin de Arabia, jazmin, melia, paraíso, paraiso, San Jacinto

Tahitian: tira

Tongan: sita

Ulithian: prais

Habit:  tree

Description:  "Small to medium tree; leaves bipinnate, the lowest pinnae sometimes once more divided (thus partly tripinnate); leaves up to 40-50 cm long, less than half as wide; 5-7 per pinna; base somewhat inequilateral; inflorescence an axillary open panicle to 20 cm long; flowers pale lavender (lilac), nearly 2 cm broad; calyx 5-6-parted, puberulent; petals 5-6, ob-lanceolate, about 8 mm long; stamen-tube lilac, as long as a petal, 10 anthers; ovary with a small disc, 5-6-celled; ovules 2 per cell; fruit subglobose, yellow, to 1.5 cm long" (Stone, 1970; pp. 357-358).

Habitat/ecology:  This fast-growing, deciduous tree reaches 20 m in height.  Its wide-spreading branches form a deep shade. It grows between sea level and 700 m in open dry habitats. It favors old fields, abandoned lots, roadsides, and other disturbed areas (C. W. Smith, 1985; pp. 194-195).  "Riparian habitats, forests, grassland, disturbed sites.  In the native range, this rapidly growing tree occurs in lowland to highland rainforests.  Where invasive, it builds up dense stands that outcompete native plant species and prevent regeneration of shrubs and trees"  (Weber, 2003; p. 258).

In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in dry, disturbed areas, especially gulches and pastures, 0-610 m"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 918).  In Fiji, "cultivated or sparingly naturalized at low elevations"  (Smith, 1985; p. 529). In Tonga, "presumably introduced as an ornamental but occasionally adventive" (Yuncker, 1959; p. 157). In New Caledonia, "parfois planté et souvent naturalisé" (MacKee, 1994; p. 101). Arid lowlands in the Galápagos Islands (McMullen, 1999; pp. 76-77).

Propagation:  "The tree flowers throughout the year and produces huge numbers of seeds that are widely dispersed by birds.  The juvenile period is very short and platns may begin to flower even at seedling stage"  (Weber, 2003; p. 258).

Native range:  East Asia, but widely cultivated.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 9) "Probably introduced as a timber tree and now naturalised". Vouchers cited: G. Uhe 1192 (K), W.R. Sykes NI 616 (CHR), G. Uhe 1138 (K)
Chile (offshore islands) Rapa Nui (Easter) Island	Rapa Nui (Easter) Island (Isla de Pasqua)	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2008) (p. 29)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane (2000) (p. 6)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 128)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. Field notes.)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 40)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 8)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island		McCormack, Gerald (2011)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 8)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island		McCormack, Gerald (2011)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 87)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1928) (voucher ID: BISH 160372) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island		McCormack, Gerald (2011)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 8)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Miti‘aro Island		McCormack, Gerald (2011)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 89) "Potential invader"
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		McCormack, Gerald (2011)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1929) (voucher ID: BISH 160373) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Isabela Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Dublon (Tonowas) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1935) (voucher ID: BISH 160405) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 128) Presence not verified.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 128)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Glassman, S. F. (1952) (p. 85) Voucher cited: Kanehira 700 (BISH)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced cultivated	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 112) Voucher cited: M. Takamatsu 598 (BISH)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 160406) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1936) (voucher ID: BISH 160407) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1929) (voucher ID: BISH 160409) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ulithi Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 128)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ulithi Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 160408) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 128)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Matuku Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (p. 529) Voucher cited: Tothill & Paine 62
Fiji Fiji Islands	Rotuma Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 619153) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (p. 529) Vouchers cited: Greenwood 266, DF 546, DA 39, DA 12346, DA L.11530, DA 18852
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1961) (voucher ID: BISH 15189) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1963) (voucher ID: BISH 33433) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1976) (voucher ID: BISH 417166) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Akamaru Island		Welsh, S. L. (1998)
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Akamaru Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Akamaru Island	introduced	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 17) Voucher cited: St. John 14675 (BISH)
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Aukena Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Aukena Island	introduced	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 17) Voucher cited: St. John 14621 (BISH)
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 93) "Mesic habitats"
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island		Welsh, S. L. (1998)
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Vouchers cited: B. Huguenin s.n. (PAP), B. Huguenin s.n. (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 17) Voucher cited: St. John 14898 (BISH)
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Taravai Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Taravai Island	introduced	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 17) Voucher cited: Quayle & Curtis 461 (BISH)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 76)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Voucher cited: J. Florence 4873 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 183) Vouchers cited: Moore 699, Moore 724
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 183) Voucher cited: BRY 26544
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 183) Voucher cited: Grant 5459
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Voucher cited: J. Florence 2283 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Raro‘ia Atoll	introduced cultivated	Doty, Maxwell S. (1954) (p. 39)
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 5739 (PAP), J. Florence & W.R. Sykes 11261 (PAP) Naturalisé en bordure de route.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 553654) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1992) (voucher ID: BISH 644234) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rapa Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rimatara (Rimitara) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 6065 (PAP), R. Graffe 13 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 543900) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 543901) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 558115) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Tubuai Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Naturalisée
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (pp. 357-358)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 128)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1918) (voucher ID: BISH 160401) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1918) (voucher ID: BISH 160402) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1954) (voucher ID: BISH 160404) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 918-919)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 918-919)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 918-919)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 918-919)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Hughes, Guy D'Oyly (1995) (p. 7) Voucher cited: Hughes 43 (BISH) Naturalized in lowland gulches and disturbed areas.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Ni‘ihau Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 918-919)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 918-919)
Japan (offshore islands) Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	native	Toyoda, Takeshi (2003) (p. 257)
Japan (offshore islands) Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands		Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 128)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 169) Vouchers cited: Fosberg 58732, Scully 122N, Thaman & Manner 74 (SUVA)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Maré	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 101) Voucher cited: Sarasin 504 (Z)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands	introduced invasive	Gargominy, Oliver/Bouchet, Philipe/Pascal, Michel/Jaffre, Tanguy/Tourneu, Jean-Christophe (1996) (p. 382) Rudérale, nombreuses localités
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 101) Vouchers cited: Grunow s.n. (W), Sarasin 236 (Z), Franc A 95, MacKee 4312, MacKee 32128
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île des Pins (Isle of Pines)	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 101) Voucher cited: MacKee 33736
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Yande	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 101) Voucher cited: Däniker 372a (Z)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 119) Mostly cultivated. Vouchers cited: CHR 169808, CHR 169809
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 24)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1943) (p. 71) Vouchers cited: Yuncker 9800 (BISH), Yuncker 9859 (BISH)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 12)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 13-14, 85) Naturalizing.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 16)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 13-14, 81)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 16)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 16)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Ngercheu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (pp. 8, 16) Carp Resort
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago		Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (pp. 283, 285)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced cultivated	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 360) Cultivated in the larger towns for its fragrant flowers, but nowhere natualized.
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced	St. John, H. (1987) (p. 38)
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Naturalisée
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1973) (voucher ID: BISH 417493) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Guadalcanal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 29200) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Guadalcanal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (year unknown) (voucher ID: BISH 402105) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced invasive cultivated	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 90)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 7)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 157) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15631 Occasionally adventive.
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 160383) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 7)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Niuatoputapu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1976) (voucher ID: BISH 456082) Taxon name on voucher: Melia azedarach L.
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 7)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 157) Cited: Crosby.
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced	Burkill, I. H. (1900) (p. 31)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Australia (continental)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
China China	Hong Kong	introduced	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 198)
Honduras Honduras	Honduras (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 232)
Indonesia Indonesia	West Papua Province (Indonesia) (western New Guinea Island) (formerly Irian Jaya)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Japan Japan	Japan (country)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Japan Ryukyu Islands	Ryukyu Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Panama Panama	Panama (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 232)
Taiwan Taiwan	Taiwan Island		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 232)
United States (west coast) United States (west coast states)	USA (California)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2011)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1993) (p. 18)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Agalega Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Stoddart, D. R. (1983) (p. 128) Voucher cited: Stoddart 7279 (US)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Frégate Island		Robertson, S. A./Todd, D. M. (1983) (p. 54) Voucher cited: Robertson 2690

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	United States (other states)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2011)
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2011)

Comments:  A problem species in Hawai‘i and some islands in French Polynesia (Mangareva, Akamaru, Taravai) (Meyer, 1998).

Common on Mangaia and also present on Rarotonga, Aitutaki, ‘Atiu, Ma‘uke and Miti‘aro, Cook Islands (Space & Flynn, 2002).

Planting of this species is prohibited in Miami-Dade County, Florida (U.S.) (Miami-Dade County Dept. of Planning and Zoning, 2010).

Invasive in South Africa.

Control:  Additional control information from the Bugwood Wiki.

Physical:  Hand-pull seedlings. Can be grazed by cattle.

Chemical:  Treatment with triclopyr (Randall & Marinelli, 1996).

"Triclopyr ester, 10% product in oil applied to basal bark or triclopyr amine applied to cut-surface provided excellent control; foliar application of triclopyr amine 1% product in high volume spraying provided good control"  (Motooka et al., 2003).

Additional information:
Excerpt from the book "Weeds of Hawaii‘s Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide" (Motooka et al., 2003). (PDF format).
Information from the Bugwood Wiki.
Photos and additional information at University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
Fact sheet from "Common forest trees of Hawaii" (PDF format).
Fact sheet from Florabank.
Information from the World Agroforestry Centre's AgroForestryTree Database.
Information from the Global Invasive Species Database.
Information from the publication "Nonnative invasive plants of Southern forests: A field guide for identification and control".
Information from the book "Identification and biology of non-native plants in Florida's natural areas" (PDF format).

Additional online information about Melia azedarach is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Melia azedarach as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Melia azedarach may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 0. Voucher specimen #BISH 402105 (collector unknown; collector's voucher number unknown).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1918. Voucher specimen #BISH 160401 (Nelson, P. 174).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1918. Voucher specimen #BISH 160402 (Nelson, P. 174).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1928. Voucher specimen #BISH 160372 (Graham, J. 1).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1929. Voucher specimen #BISH 160373 (Wilder, G.P. 922).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1929. Voucher specimen #BISH 160409 (Kanehira, R. 700).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1935. Voucher specimen #BISH 160405 (Takamatsu, M. 86).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1936. Voucher specimen #BISH 160406 (Takamatsu, M. 761).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1936. Voucher specimen #BISH 160407 (Takamatsu, M. 598).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1938. Voucher specimen #BISH 619153 (St.John, H. 19472).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1947. Voucher specimen #BISH 29200 (Griffen 10).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1947. Voucher specimen #BISH 160408 (Lessa, W.A. 30).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1953. Voucher specimen #BISH 160383 (Yuncker, T.G. 15631).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1954. Voucher specimen #BISH 160404 (Fosberg, F.R. 35629).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1961. Voucher specimen #BISH 15189 (Pillay, S. 12346).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1963. Voucher specimen #BISH 33433 (Vetewa, T. FD 546).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1973. Voucher specimen #BISH 417493 (Whistler, W.A. W 1048).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1976. Voucher specimen #BISH 417166 (Vodonaivalu, S. 18852).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1976. Voucher specimen #BISH 456082 (Kirch, P.V. 340).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1982. Voucher specimen #BISH 558115 (Graffe, R. 13).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1983. Voucher specimen #BISH 543900 (Florence, J. 6065).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1983. Voucher specimen #BISH 543901 (Florence, J. 6065).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1983. Voucher specimen #BISH 553654 (Florence, J. 5739).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1992. Voucher specimen #BISH 644234 (Florence 11261).

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