Alternative Name(s): Chinaberry, Cape lilac, Indian bead tree, Persian lilac Family: Meliaceae Form: Tree Origin: Native to south-east Asia and northern Australia Weed Type(s): Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape, Casual Alien

photo. C. Wilson

Notes: White cedar is a spreading deciduous tree growing to 15m tall with leaves composed of many leaflets 20-50mm long. It produces abundant sprays of fragrant lilac flowers followed by many hard yellow berries 10-20mm long. These are poisonous to children and stock but eaten and distributed by birds.

Although native to the Kimberley it is naturalised and spreading in wasteland near Perth. It is widely used as a street and park tree in western NSW and western Queensland.

References:

Randall, R. P. (2002). A Global Compendium of Weeds. R. G. & F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
Hussey, B. M. J., Keighery, G. J., Cousens, R. D., Dodd, J., and Lloyd, S. G. (1997). Western Weeds. Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Perth.
Everist, S. L. (1981). Poisonous Plants of Australia. Angus & Robertson Publishers, Sydney.