Description

• A large evergreen tree native to India, growing wild in the sub-Himalayan region. The bark is reddish brown, becoming fissured on mature trees.
• The deciduous leaves are bipinnate (twice feather-like) and 1-2 ft long.
• The individual leaflets, each about 2 in long and less than half as wide, are pointed at the tips and have toothed edges.
• In spring and early summer, Persian lilac produces masses of purplish, fragrant, star shaped flowers, each about 3/4 in in diameter, that arch or droop in 8 in panicles.
• All parts of Persian lilac tree are poisonous. Eating as few as 6 berries can result in death. Birds that eat too many seeds have been known to become paralyzed.

Uses

• Bark and fruit extract is used to kill parasitic roundworms.
• Leaves edible. A bitter flavour, they are used as a potherb, in curries, soups etc. In Manipur, leaves and flowers are used as poultice in nervous headache.
• Leaves, bark and fruit are insect repellent.
• Seed-oil is used in rheumatism.
• The seed contains up to 40% of a drying oil. It is used for lighting, varnish etc.