GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
A moderate sized to large evergreen tree; bark, dark brown with shallow longitudinal furrows. Leaves
imparipinnate, 22-38cm long, rachis glabrous. Leaflets 9-15, terminal often aborted, sub-opposite
minutely petioluted, 4-8cm by 1-2.5 cm, falcately lanceolate, acuminate, coarsely toothed, glabrous,
dark-green above, paler beneath, subcoriaceous, base very unequal. Flowers white, about I am
across, scented, innumerous, lax, axillary panicles of cymes which are shorter than or as long as, the
leaves; bracts lanceolate, caducous. Calyx puberulous, deeply 5-lobed, segments broad, rounded,
minutely denticulate. Petals much exceeding the calyx, spreading, about 0.5 cm long,
oblong-spatulate, ciliolate, and pubescent inside along the centre. Staminal tube dialated at the base
and apex, 10-12 toothed; usually pubescent inside towards the top, another opposite the teeth and
included within the tube. Ovary glabrous 3-celled, flask-shaped; style as long as the staminal tube,
expanded into a 3-lobed fleshy stigma. Drupe 1-1.5 cm long, ovoid-oblong, smooth with a I-called
stone, greenish yellow when ripe, usually one-sided or sometimes two-sided.
A moderate sized to large evergreen tree; bark, dark brown with shallow longitudinal furrows. Leaves
imparipinnate, 22-38cm long, rachis glabrous. Leaflets 9-15, terminal often aborted, sub-opposite
minutely petioluted, 4-8cm by 1-2.5 cm, falcately lanceolate, acuminate, coarsely toothed, glabrous,
dark-green above, paler beneath, subcoriaceous, base very unequal. Flowers white, about I am
across, scented, innumerous, lax, axillary panicles of cymes which are shorter than or as long as, the
leaves; bracts lanceolate, caducous. Calyx puberulous, deeply 5-lobed, segments broad, rounded,
minutely denticulate. Petals much exceeding the calyx, spreading, about 0.5 cm long,
oblong-spatulate, ciliolate, and pubescent inside along the centre. Staminal tube dialated at the base
and apex, 10-12 toothed; usually pubescent inside towards the top, another opposite the teeth and
included within the tube. Ovary glabrous 3-celled, flask-shaped; style as long as the staminal tube,
expanded into a 3-lobed fleshy stigma. Drupe 1-1.5 cm long, ovoid-oblong, smooth with a I-called
stone, greenish yellow when ripe, usually one-sided or sometimes two-sided.
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The species is often confused with Melia azedarach specially in the Philippines and Sri Lanka
although the leaves and seeds are very different in two species. For neem in netherlands, neem
singapore, neem in belgium, neem in canada and neem in newzealand click the link.
although the leaves and seeds are very different in two species. For neem in netherlands, neem
singapore, neem in belgium, neem in canada and neem in newzealand click the link.
The species become deciduous in areas with frost or in very dry conditions more so in North India.
However, the plants are in full leaf during the summer months. The species have wide adaptation
ranging from the plains regions to the hills ascending upto 1,830 m in Kumaon. The plants can
tolerate an absolute maximum shade temperature of 480C and a minimum of 00C. It is observed to
avoid areas of high rainfall. The normal annual rainfall zone for the species is from 450 to 1200 mm
with a relative humidity in July month varying from 60-90% and in January 40-70% though in certain
areas it has been found to occur in as low rainfall as 250 mm.
However, the plants are in full leaf during the summer months. The species have wide adaptation
ranging from the plains regions to the hills ascending upto 1,830 m in Kumaon. The plants can
tolerate an absolute maximum shade temperature of 480C and a minimum of 00C. It is observed to
avoid areas of high rainfall. The normal annual rainfall zone for the species is from 450 to 1200 mm
with a relative humidity in July month varying from 60-90% and in January 40-70% though in certain
areas it has been found to occur in as low rainfall as 250 mm.
DISTRIBUTION
It occurs throughout the drier parts of the country, including the state of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa,
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Neem is widely
cultivated, especially in the drier tracts and has evidently become wild in many localities as an escape
from cultivation. It has also been planted in Port Blair, Andaman’s, and is common in Ross Island. It
also occurs in Malaysia, Burma and Sri Lanka. Largest numbers of neem trees are, however, found
scattered in areas outside forests, in homesteads as well as in cultivated and uncultivated lands.
It occurs throughout the drier parts of the country, including the state of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa,
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Neem is widely
cultivated, especially in the drier tracts and has evidently become wild in many localities as an escape
from cultivation. It has also been planted in Port Blair, Andaman’s, and is common in Ross Island. It
also occurs in Malaysia, Burma and Sri Lanka. Largest numbers of neem trees are, however, found
scattered in areas outside forests, in homesteads as well as in cultivated and uncultivated lands.