The paradise tree (Melia azedarach) is a medium-sized, deciduous tree with ornamental flowers that belongs to the Meliaceae family. Commonly known as sour, holy tree, cinnamon, cinnamon, lilac, melia, mirabobo, piocha or parasol paradise, it is a native plant of Southeast Asia.
It is an ornamental species with dark green compound leaves and a dense, parasol-shaped crown. The aromatic flowers of blue-violet tones are grouped in corymbiform inflorescences. For its part, the fruit is a globular drupe of ocher color with a fibrous endocarp.
It is a rustic plant with basic requirements, resistant to cold, prolonged periods of drought and polluted environments, but it does not tolerate strong winds. It adapts to any type of soil, from sandy to clay-loam, even growing on saline soils of low fertility.
Under optimal conditions of temperature, humidity and fertility it develops vigorously, becoming an invasive plant in recreational and residential areas. It is used in gardening for its dense foliage and lush flowering, particularly it is a tree that provides ample and cool shade.
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Deciduous tree of medium size that reaches 15 m in height with a short, straight or sinuous trunk and a parasolate crown of 4-8 m in circumference. Young plants have smooth and greyish bark, but as it ages it cracks and takes on a dark-brown color..
The compound, alternate and odd-pinnate leaves of 3-4 pairs of leaflets are arranged on a long petiole 25-80 cm long. The 2-5 cm long leaflets are oval, opposite and acuminate; margins are finely serrated; upper surface dark green and underside light green.
The small flowers are characterized by their 5 elongated lilac-bluish petals and a long purple stem tube crowned by 15-20 fine appendages. Flowering, which generally occurs between April and May, is very abundant and aromatic, being arranged in axillary panicles 15-25 cm long..
The fruit is a globular drupe 10-25 mm in diameter, green when tender and ocher-yellowish when ripe. They are arranged in leafy clusters and are characterized by remaining attached to the branches once the plant has completely defoliated..
The phytochemical analysis of leaves and fruits of the species Melia azedarach has made it possible to determine the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes and triterpenes. In the leaves the presence of the organic compound paraisin is common and in the fruits the essential oil known as azadirine with a pesticidal effect.
The fruits contain certain glycerides of stearic, linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids, resins, the sesquiterpenoid a-cadinol and the tetra-nortriterpenoid azadirachtin. As well as bakayanic and vanillic organic acids, the alkaloid margosine, the flavonoid quercetin, meliacin and coumarins.
Traces of catechol or pyrocatechol are found in the bark, used as an antioxidant in the chemical industry or as a pesticide. An essential oil with a bitter smell and taste with medicinal properties is extracted from the seeds.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Sapindales
- Family: Meliaceae
- Gender: Melia
- Species: Melia azedarach L., 1753.
- Melia: the name of the genus derives from the ancient Greek "μελία" which means "frassino", because its leaves are similar to those of the ash tree.
- azedarach: the specific adjective comes from the Persian "azaddhirakt", a term used by the Arabs that translates as "tree that liberates".
- Azedara speciosa Raf.
- Azedarach commelinii Medik.
- A. deleteria Medik.
- A. fraxinifolia Moench
- Azedarach odoratum Noronha
- Azedarach sempervirens Kuntze
- Melia australis
- Melia bukayun Royle
- M. cochinchinensis M. Roem.
- M. commelini Medik. ex Steud.
- Melia composita Benth.
- Melia florida Salisb.
- M. guineensis G. Don
- M. japonica G. Don
- Melia orientalis M. Roem.
- Melia sambucina Blume
- M. sempervirens Sw.
- M. toosendan Siebold & Zucc.
It is a species native to Southeast Asia, specifically tropical China, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Vietnam. Likewise, it has been naturalized in tropical Australia, Japan and the Solomon Islands, and introduced in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and North America..
It is currently grown in warm temperate regions around the world up to 800 meters above sea level. In its place of origin it grows wild up to 3,000 meters above sea level..
It develops on abandoned or fallow land, near roads and especially areas of anthropic influence. Likewise, it adapts to any type of soil, from acidic to slightly alkaline or saline. Tolerates occasional frosts as long as summers have been warm.
It reproduces from seeds, cuttings and suckers, growing very quickly and becoming an invasive species in urban spaces. It is a photophilic species that withstands summer droughts and polluted environments, but is susceptible to strong winds due to the fragility of its foliage.
The presence of various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, organic acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamins and terpenoids give it certain medicinal properties. The leaves, flowers and fruits are used as a home remedy for their deworming effect to cure infections caused by intestinal parasites..
The decoction of branches and leaves is used for the symptomatic treatment of patients affected by malaria and hepatitis. With this decoction, one or two hot baths are made a day and a cup is consumed as tea during each session..
An oil with an unpleasant aroma and taste is extracted from the seeds due to the presence of triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory action. This oil is effective in healing skin conditions and healing wounds. It also works as a hair tonic and has an anthelmintic effect..
The ground seeds act as a disinfectant and healer to prevent wounds caused by snake bites from ulcerating. The cooking of the leaves has an antipyretic effect to lower the fever of the body, while the cooking of the roots has anthelmintic properties.
The wood of good quality and medium density is used in cabinetmaking to make handcrafted pieces and in carpentry to make light pieces. The fruits are used in some regions as raw material for the handmade elaboration of rosaries and beads for jewelery..
In pharmacology, the extract obtained from the fruits is used as an active ingredient for purgatives against intestinal worms or helminths. In the same way, it is used as an insect repellent, fungicide, nematicide or molluscicide of home pests or commercial crops..
In fact, with its fruits a natural briopreparation is made for the sustainable management of pests in ornamental plants and commercial crops. This product is used with effective results to control stored grain pests or household insects, such as wood moths..
The fruits contain elements of neurotoxic effect, such as tetra-nortriterpene azadirachtin, which can be fatal if consumed in large quantities. The main symptoms of intoxication are manifested in a lack of coordination, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, stiffness, pulmonary congestion and finally cardiorespiratory arrest.
The literature reported fatal cases in animals or people who have consumed a large amount of fresh berries, although for certain birds it is harmless. Despite its adverse effects, formerly the diluted infusion of its leaves and fruits was used as a muscle relaxant and emmenagogue..
The propagation is carried out by means of seeds that does not require pregerminative treatment, only to remove the fleshy envelope and hydrate before sowing. Similarly, cuttings from semi-woody branches can be used, suckers collected around the plant and using the layering technique..
Requires a location in full sun exposure. In this way it can tolerate low temperatures and occasional frosts during winter. In turn, it is advisable to locate it in an area where strong winds do not directly converge, since its foliage is very fragile for this eventuality..
It adapts to any type of soil, whether of calcareous or siliceous origin, it even tolerates saline soils. Indeed, it only requires a loose, deep, well-drained and fresh soil, which maintains humidity during the productive phases..
The ideal temperature ranges between 10-20 ºC with a maximum of 40 ºC, direct solar radiation, medium-low relative humidity and average annual precipitation of 500-1,000 mm. Constant soil moisture during flowering and fruiting seasons are essential to achieve the highest productivity of the plant..
In the nursery, the seedlings require the use of stakes to prevent the trunk from developing in a sinuous way. Similarly, once established in the field, the roots develop superficially, so they must be held in areas with strong winds..
Maintenance, sanitation and regeneration pruning are recommended at the beginning of spring, trying to cover the wounds with healing paste to avoid rotting. As an ornamental plant, severe pruning is usually carried out from the first years to develop the plant with a bushy appearance..
Mites and mealybugs are pests that affect young plants in their development phase, however, aphids affect both young and adult plants. Warm and dry environments favor the appearance of aphids on young shoots, flower buds and fruit buds.
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