Download Australian Acacia - Botanical Society of South Africa

Weeds in our Area (Part Twenty Seven)
By Bob and Ena McIntyre – Garden Route Branch.
Syringa (Melia azedarach)
Melia azedarach (Syringa, Persian lilac, seringboom) is native to a large area between Australia and
India. It is now naturalised throughout most of southern Africa. First identified growing wild in
Natal in 1894, Syringa is today listed as a Category Three invader and no new plantings should be
made. Germination of seeds and growth within 30 meters of the 1:50 year flood line of a river,
stream, natural channel in which water flows regularly or intermittently, lake, dam or wetland
should be controlled and prevented. Syringa invades streams, rivers and disturbed areas. The bark,
leaves and berries are all poisonous. Syringa berries are one of the most common causes of human
poisoning in South Africa. Fortunately very few cases are fatal.
Identification: M. azedarach is a deciduous spreading tree with
a lace look and can reach up to 23m in height. The bark on
young stems is reddish-brown and smooth. The leaves are
pinnate with leaflets serrated, deep green and glossy above
turning yellow in autumn. The flowers are lilac with a purplish
central column born in large terminal sprays that are heavily
perfumed. The fruits (large berries) ripen to mustard yellow
and become wrinkled. Fruit can remain on the tree well after
the leaves have dropped.
Control: Syringa coppices vigorously when felled. Ring barking
and bark stripping usually stimulates coppicing and the
development of root suckers. While trees can be removed
roots and all, this is time consuming and labour intensive. Two
herbicides are registered, Garlon 4 with diesel can be used for
basal stem, cut stump or frill treatment while Chopper at 3% with water can be used for cut stump
or frill treatment.
Substitute: Our very own and popular Ekebergia capensis (Cape Ash) or Bersama Lucens (Glossy
White Ash) a smallish tree with glossy light green foliage. The Glossy White Ash bears conspicuous
racemes of small white flowers (June to September)that are followed by bright red seeds attractive
to birds.
Photo with acknowledgements to “ALIEN WEEDS AND INVASIVE PLANTS” by Lesley Henderson.
Copyright © 2001 Agricultural Research Council.