Distribution, Ecology and Genetic Variability
Neem commonly occurs wild in dry deciduous and thorny, scrub forests in northern India, extending to
peninsular tracts. It is native to Upper Burma (Myanmar) occurring in dry regions of Irrawady valley, in
upper region of Prome. Its natural distribution, in fact, extends from the Shivalik hills (upto 1,500 m)
eastward to Burmese region. It also occurs in the drier eastern peninsular tract and in parts of
Deccan. It is naturalized in parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Neem commonly occurs wild in dry deciduous and thorny, scrub forests in northern India, extending to
peninsular tracts. It is native to Upper Burma (Myanmar) occurring in dry regions of Irrawady valley, in
upper region of Prome. Its natural distribution, in fact, extends from the Shivalik hills (upto 1,500 m)
eastward to Burmese region. It also occurs in the drier eastern peninsular tract and in parts of
Deccan. It is naturalized in parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
The natural or wild distribution of neem and the area where it occurs in naturalized state, point out to
its wider eco-geographic range, indicating its adaptability to more drier habitats in its natural
distributional range and to both drier and moist climate-regimes in its area of introduction and
acclimatization. It also covers a wide range of soils. It is cultivated in Southeast Asia, Australia, Fiji,
Mauritius, East and Sub-Sahalian Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and
the Virgin Islands.
its wider eco-geographic range, indicating its adaptability to more drier habitats in its natural
distributional range and to both drier and moist climate-regimes in its area of introduction and
acclimatization. It also covers a wide range of soils. It is cultivated in Southeast Asia, Australia, Fiji,
Mauritius, East and Sub-Sahalian Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and
the Virgin Islands.
Various ecotypes of neem exist, exhibiting morphological variation in root growth, leaf size, quality,
bole length, canopy, inflorescence, bearing, seed size, shape, quality etc. Less bitter leaf-types
occurs. Type resistant to drought and tolerant to frost have been developed, such as those adapted to
drier parts of Asia including the Indian sub-continent.
bole length, canopy, inflorescence, bearing, seed size, shape, quality etc. Less bitter leaf-types
occurs. Type resistant to drought and tolerant to frost have been developed, such as those adapted to
drier parts of Asia including the Indian sub-continent.
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