Plants
neem
Azadirachta indica A.Juss.
Family: Meliaceae · Genus: Azadirachta
neem tree, Indian lilac
Indian-origin tree adapted to Brazil, the biopesticide species of the Embrapa Vitrine SAF. Leaves and seed oil (azadirachtin) repel more than 200 insect species. Fast-growing, drought-tolerant.
Götsch succession
- Götsch stage
- Secondary I
- Ecological role
- Early secondary
- Primary stratum
- High
- Strata
- High, Emergent
- Biomass class
- Mulch biomass
Environment
- Light requirement
- Full sun
- Water requirement
- Low
- Drought tolerance
- High
- Waterlogging tolerance
- None
- Soil pH range
- 5.5–7.5
- Preferred soil texture
- Sandy, Loamy, Clayey
- Hardiness zones
- 10–12
Morphology
- Mature height
- 10–20 m
- Root system
- Taproot
- Root depth
- Deep
- Growth rate
- Fast
Biomes & climate
- Cerrado Naturalized
- Caatinga Naturalized
- Atlantic Forest Naturalized
Köppen classes
- Tropical savanna with dry winter (Aw) Suitable
- Hot semi-arid (BSh) Suitable
- Tropical monsoon (Am) Suitable
Where it fits in a guild
Neem takes the High stratum in the Secondary I phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
How tall does neem grow?
At maturity, neem reaches 10–20 m tall.
What stage and stratum does neem occupy in a syntropic system?
In a syntropic system, neem belongs to the secondary i stage, occupying the high stratum.
Functions
Propagation
Seed
Citations
- Armando, Bueno, Alves & Cavalcante (2002) — Agrofloresta para Agricultura Familiar (Embrapa Circular Técnica 16), Tabela 1 , p. 3 (gotsch_stage, functions)
- Plants For A Future (PFAF) — Azadirachta indica (height_min_m, height_max_m, ph_min, ph_max, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max, drought_tolerance, waterlogging_tolerance, root_depth, soil_texture_preference, water_need)
- Winrock International — Azadirachta indica (neem), a versatile tree for the tropics and subtropics (root_system, root_depth, ph_min, ph_max, coppice_ability)
External references
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