Bwa-yo - Société Audubon Haiti

16 Nim
Species: Azadirachta indica Adr. Juss.
Synonyms: Antelaea azadirachta (L.) Adelbert, Melia azadirachta L., Melia indica
(Adr. Juss.) Brandis
Family: Meliaceae
Common Names: neem (nim), neeb, nimba
Importance: A. indica is the model of a multi-purpose tree species, providing an
important mix of goods and services that benefit Haitian farmers. The fruit is a source
both of insecticides and fertilizer that keep vulnerable food crops healthy, while con- .
tributing to the diet of Haiti's wild fauna that disperse the seed. A significant amount
of oil that is contained in the kernel can be utilized in a range ofproducts from cooking
oil to soaps and lubricants. Its quick growth and abundant natural regeneration ensure
a supply of fuelwood, construction wood and shade. The tree can be invasive and must
be managed to protect the natural regeneration ofnative tree species.
Taxonomy and Botanical Features:. A. indica is a member of the mahogany family,
comprising many of the most important wood species in Haiti: Swietenia mahagoni
(kajou peyi), S. macrophylla (kajou etranje), Trichilia hirta (monben bata), Guarea
guidonia (bwa wouj) and Cedrela odorata (sed). The species is considered by some
botanists to be comprised of two varieties. A. indica var. indica is the common variety
from India that has been introduced as an exotic throughout the tropics. A. indica var.
siamensis has bigger leaves and a smoother leaf margin with two races that- are distinguished
by a red and green top shoot (Bhumibhamon, 1987). The fruit is an ellipsoidal
drupe, up to 2 cm long, that turns from light green to yellow (Fig. 16.1 inset). The sweet
mucilaginous pulp surrounds a seed that is composed of a shell and a light green kernel.
The small, white, bisexual flowers ofA. indica are arranged in axillary clusters and
have a honey-like scent that attracts bees (Fig. 16.2).
A closely-related species, Melia azedarach L., locally known as lila, also occurs in
Haiti and is distinguished from A. indica by the slighter stem, less dense canopy, light
lavender flowers, and sparser fruit clusters with spherical drupes, 1 cm in diameter.
Distribution and Ecology: A. indica is believed to be indigenous to India, Java and the
lesser Sunda Islands-(Burkill, 1966). It spread throughout the drier tropical regions of
Africa and into the Caribbean as early as the latter part ofthe nineteenth century (Pliske,
1984). Neem was introduced to Haiti in 1967 from seed believed to have originated in
Senegal. Trees originating from this narrow genetic base still can be found at several
locations, including the Faculte d'Agronomie et Medecine Veterinaire (Damien) and
Place St. Anne in Port-au-Prince. The species spread quickly after being planted along
the national highways to the north and south ofHaiti during the mid-1970s. As a major
species ofthe USAID agroforestry projects (1981-1991), neem has been distributed to
nearly every part of Haiti. The Operation Double Harvest (ODH) nursery at Cazeau
distributed more than 1.4 million seedlings between 1981 and 1986. The distribution
included the planting of 0.3 million seedlings on 10 plantations in the Cul-de-Sac
(Timyan, 1987). Additional provenances of A. indica were introduced to Haiti from
Burma in 1984, India in 1986, and Africa in 1991, by the corribined efforts of USAID,
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