XXI. MELIACE2E 
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XXI. MELIACE^ 
Trees ; young parts and inflorescence pubescent, otherwise 
glabrous. Leaves alternate, pinnate or 2-pinnate ; leaflets oppo- 
site or nearly so, shortly stalked, unequal-sided, not gland-dotted. 
Flowers numerous, small, regular, 2-sexual, usually sweet-scented, 
in panicles. Calyx 5- or 6-parted. Petals 5 or 6, much longer 
than the calyx, free, imbricate. Stamens 10 or 5, filaments 
united or free, anthers 2-celled. Ovary ovoid, 3-5-celled, sessile 
on a fleshy disk ; style terminal, simple ; stigma peltate, lobed ; 
ovules 2 or several in each cell. Fruit a drupe or capsule ; seeds 
1, 5 or many. 
Stamens 10-12, united in a tube. Ovules 1 or 2 in each cell . 1. Melia. 
Stamens 5, free. Ovules 8-12 in each cell 2. Cedrela. 
The Mahogany tree, Swietenia Mahagoni, a native of Central America, is 
often planted in India ; there are several good specimens in the Saharunpore 
Botanical Gardens and a fine avenue at the Hoogly railway station. 
1. MELIA. The Greek name of the Ash, Fraxinus. — Asia, 
Australia. 
Trees, 20-40 ft. Leaves pinnate or 2-pinnate ; leaflets nearly 
opposite, toothed, long-pointed. Flowers honey-scented, in large, 
axillary panicles. Calyx 5- or 6-parted. Petals 5-6, narrowly 
spathulate. Stamens 10-12, filaments united in a tube, toothed 
at the top, anthers sessile within and below the top of the tube. 
Ovary 3- or 5-celled, disk ring-shaped ; stigma 3- or 5-lobed ; 
ovules 2 in each cell. Drupe ovoid or globose ; stone 1- or 5-celled ; 
seeds one in each cell, small, smooth. 
Leaves pinnate. Flowers white . . . . . . 1. M. indica. 
Leaves 2-pinnate. Flowers lilac . . . . . .2 . M. Azedarach. 
1. Melia indica, Brandis ; FI. Br. Ind. i. 544, under M. Azadi- 
rachta, Linn. Leaves odd-pinnate, 9-15 in., crowded near the 
end of branches ; leaflets 9-13, lanceolate, 1-3 in. Flowers white, 
1 in. long. Calyx-segments 5, rounded. Petals 5. Anthers 10. 
Ovary usually 3-celled. Drupe ovoid-oblong, in., smooth, dark 
purple when ripe ; stone 1-celled, 1-seeded. 
Simla, in valleys ; March-May. — Throughout India, ascending to 5000 ft. 
The Neem tree, though not truly wild in India, is often planted and 
famishes excellent timber. The bitter bark and leaves are used medicinally 
and an oil is expressed from the fruit. Held sacred by the Hindus ; wood used 
for making idols. 
2. Melia Azedarach, Linn. ; FI. Br. Ind. i, 544. Leaves 2- 
pinnate, 9-18 in. ; leaflets 3-7, ovate-lanceolate, in. Flowers 
lilac, J— J in. long. Calyx-segments 5 or 6, acute. Petals 5 or 6. 
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