GENETIC DIVERSITY AND ETHNOBOTANY
Thissection briefly assesses the genetic resources of neem and its wild related types with particular
emphasis on species diversity vis-à-vis its distributional range and focuses on its ethnobotany-local,
native, traditional uses, beliefs etc.
emphasis on species diversity vis-à-vis its distributional range and focuses on its ethnobotany-local,
native, traditional uses, beliefs etc.
Species Diversity and Wild Related Types
There are two species of Azadirachta; A. indica A. Juss. is of Indo-Burmese origin, the distribution and
ecology of which is discussed below in detail and A. excelsa (Jack) Jacob [Syn. A. intergrifolia Merr.,
Melia excelsa Jack], confined to the Philippines with extended range in the Indonesia region, Borneo,
New Guinea and westwards to Malaysia. Ecologically, A. excelsa is more adapted to moist tropical
forests occurring both in open and closed canopy forests. The related genus Melia is of wider
distribution as compared to Azadirachta and its species exhibit diverse distribution and ecology,
some like M. azedarach being cold frost adaptable. The following distribution patterns occur.
There are two species of Azadirachta; A. indica A. Juss. is of Indo-Burmese origin, the distribution and
ecology of which is discussed below in detail and A. excelsa (Jack) Jacob [Syn. A. intergrifolia Merr.,
Melia excelsa Jack], confined to the Philippines with extended range in the Indonesia region, Borneo,
New Guinea and westwards to Malaysia. Ecologically, A. excelsa is more adapted to moist tropical
forests occurring both in open and closed canopy forests. The related genus Melia is of wider
distribution as compared to Azadirachta and its species exhibit diverse distribution and ecology,
some like M. azedarach being cold frost adaptable. The following distribution patterns occur.
A. Species widely distributed within their natural range
Indo – Burmese : Melia azedarach, M. composita, M. burmanica
Indonesian : Melia bogoriensis, M. parasitica, M. orguta
Philippines : Melia Philippensis
Mexican : Melia Americana, M. simplicifolia
B. Species narrowly distributed within their natural range
Fiji : Melia elegans
China : Melia toosendan
Malaysia : Melia tomentosa
C. Species with wider distribution in Asia, Oceania and Africa
: Melia dubia
Indo – Burmese : Melia azedarach, M. composita, M. burmanica
Indonesian : Melia bogoriensis, M. parasitica, M. orguta
Philippines : Melia Philippensis
Mexican : Melia Americana, M. simplicifolia
B. Species narrowly distributed within their natural range
Fiji : Melia elegans
China : Melia toosendan
Malaysia : Melia tomentosa
C. Species with wider distribution in Asia, Oceania and Africa
: Melia dubia
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