Dilip Walse Patil

Scientific Name : Azadirachta indica A.Juss.

Category : Angiosperms

Status : Alive

Habit : A tall tree. Stem : The bark is dark greyish on the outside and reddish brown inside, and has numerous oblique furrows. Leaves : Alternate, exstipulate, compound, imparipinnate; 7 - 15 shortly stalked pinnae are lanceolate, oblique, serrate, acuminate, unicostate reticulate. Inflorescence : Axillary panicle Flowers : Bracteate, actinomorphic, hermaphrodite, complete, hypogynous, scented, disciferous. Calyx made up of 5 sepals, gamosepalous, light green, valvate. Corolla made up of 5 petals, polypetalous, imbricate. An annular disc present between petals and stamens. Androecium made up of 10, or 8 - 12 monadelphous, filaments unite to form a staminal tube seated at the base of annular disc, anthers dithecous, introrse. Gynoecium tricarpellary, syncarpous, superior, trilocular, two ovules in each locule, axile placentation, style simple, stigma trifid. Fruit : Drupe Seed : Fruit one - seeded. Flowering and Fruiting time : February - June, March - August Significance : All parts are bitter and are used for various purpose. Twigs are used to brush teeth. The bark and leaves have medicinal properties. The neem oil is used in creams, hair lotions and soaps. The dried leaves are used to prevent insects and pests.