The small yellowish-orange fruit of a tropical tree (Melia azedarach), or the tree itself, known for its fragrant flowers and hard seed-like fruits.
Named for its supposed origin in China, though it actually comes from South Asia (India/Pakistan region). The name reflects 18th-19th century European assumptions about Asian plant origins. Also called Indian lilac or Persian lilac.
Children in the American South have used chinaberries as ammunition for centuries—the hard marble-like fruits are perfect for slingshots, making this tree culturally significant in ways botanists never anticipated.
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