Azadirachta indica

Native from Assam in northeastern India through Bangladesh to mainland Southeast Asia, this evergreen tree generally reaches about 50 to 65 feet tall. Its fragrant white flowers are followed by olive-like fruits. Widely planted for shade, it tolerates drought once established. Seed oil supplies azadirachtin, an insect-control compound that reduces feeding and disrupts insect growth and reproduction. The oil is also used in soaps, toothpaste, and cosmetics, while its hard, termite-resistant wood is used for furniture and construction. It has escaped cultivation in northern Australia and is an invasive plant in Queensland, where dense stands reduce native plant diversity. Photographed in Barranquilla, Colombia.