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TreeCultivatedPerennialMedicinal

Azadirachta indica A. Juss.

Neem
Neem

Description

Azadirachta indica is a medium to large-sized evergreen or semi-evergreen tree, usually 10–20 m tall, occasionally reaching more than 25 m under favourable conditions. The trunk is straight with a rounded spreading crown. Bark is greyish-brown, rough, and fissured in older trees. Young branches are greenish and glabrous. Leaves are compound, alternate, and imparipinnate, usually 20–40 cm long, with 8–19 leaflets arranged along a central rachis. Leaflets are lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 3–8 cm long, with serrated margins, acute apex, and a glossy dark green upper surface. Leaves may shed partially during dry periods. Flowers are small, bisexual or functionally unisexual, actinomorphic, and fragrant, arranged in axillary or terminal panicles. Flowers are white to creamy-white, with five free petals and ten stamens united into a staminal tube surrounding the ovary. The ovary is superior and composed of three carpels. Fruits are small ellipsoid drupes, initially green and becoming yellowish when mature. Each fruit usually contains a single hard seed enclosed within a thin fleshy pulp.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative
Medium to large evergreen tree. Pinnately compound leaves. Serrated leaflets. Characteristic bitter smell of leaves.
Floral
Small white fragrant flowers. Panicles. Staminal tube typical of Meliaceae.
Fruit & Seed
Yellow olive-like drupes. Single-seeded fruits.

Distribution

Native range: Native to Indian subcontinent, Myanmar.

In Pakistan: Widely distributed in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. Commonly planted throughout Pakistan.

Phenology

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Flowering
Fruiting
Flowering: February–April Fruiting: May–August

Ethnobotany & Uses

Medicinal Importance
Neem is one of the most important medicinal trees of South Asia. Leaves used traditionally for Skin diseases, Inflammation, Fever. Bark used for Digestive disorders, Traditional remedies. Seeds contain neem oil used for Skin care, Pest management. Major bioactive compounds Azadirachtin, Limonoids, Flavonoids, Terpenoids.
Agricultural Importance
Natural Biopesticide neem seed extracts are widely used as Insect repellents, Organic pesticides. Azadirachtin affects insect Growth, Feeding behaviour, Reproduction.
Timber Importance
Wood is Moderately durable, Resistant to termites. Used for Furniture, Agricultural tools, Construction materials.
Ecological Importance
Provides shade and habitat for birds. Improves urban environments. Supports insect diversity.
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Where it grows on campus

West Campus17South Campus4East-South-East Campus1North-North-West Campus20North-East Campus1
43
individuals mapped across 5 zones
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Taxonomic Notes

Azadirachta indica belongs to Meliaceae, the mahogany family, characterized by Compound leaves, Panicle inflorescences, Staminal tubes, Drupaceous fruits.

References

  1. Plants of the World Online (POWO), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. World Flora Online — Azadirachta indica A.Juss.
  3. Flora of Pakistan, eFloras.org.