苦楝
Melia azedarach Linn.
苦楝
Scientific name: Melia azedarach Linn.
Chinese common name: 金鈴子、紫花樹、楝
Family: Meliaceae
How does this plant adapt to an aquatic environment ?
Melia azedarach Linn. is not afraid of tidal winds and salty soil, grows quickly, likes high temperatures, and can protect against wind and drought.
Morphology of the plant
axial root
root
The trunk is straight, the bark is dark brown or gray-brown, with deep irregular deep longitudinal cracks，and resin is often condensed on the branches.
stem
Phyllotaxy, large leaves alternate, small pinnae opposite; 2~3 odd-numbered pinnate compound leaves, 3 or 1 pinnae, opposite or alternate
leaf
flower
Most of the flowers are lavender, axillary, in panicles
fruit
The fruit is drupe-shaped and turns yellow-brown when ripe. The endocarp becomes lignified and turns into a hard core, which is divided into six chambers, each chamber containing one seed.
Native and current geographical distributions
habitat
Japan, China, India, Ryukyu and Taiwan mainland.
Grows in hilly woodlands and terraces at medium to low altitudes below about 500 meters.
pollination
hawkmoths are usually used to pollinate them.
Some
Story about
Melia azedarach Linn.
According to folklore, the bad-headed emperor Zhu Yuanzhang took a nap under a neem tree when he was fleeing from the Yuan soldiers. Since it was the cold winter, the branches and fruits were falling, so he was beaten with neem seeds and cursed: "You poor, evil-hearted thing." , you will be bad at celebrating the new year." Unexpectedly, the curse has come true. At the turn of the new year, the entire neem tree appears dead, and the perishable hollow trunk has fulfilled the bad intention. The scene of withering and withering has become an ominous symbol.