Bead Tree
Melia azedarach · Meliaceae
How it looks
The bead tree (Melia azedarach) is a deciduous tree with large feather-divided leaves (twice-pinnate compound). In spring, small pale-purple flowers bloom in large, strongly scented clusters. From autumn into winter, yellow bead-shaped fruits hang in clusters and persist long on the branches. Height 23–50 ft (7–15 m).
Dangerous — nervous system toxicity
All parts of Bead Tree, especially the fruit, contain tetranortriterpenoid toxins; ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, and may progress to seizures.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 2–6 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, convulsions
- Action
- Go to an animal hospital immediately. Don't wait, even if symptoms seem mild.
Guide for parents
The bead tree (chinaberry) is a large tree planted along streets and in gardens in warmer regions, and its yellow autumn fruit is especially dangerous. The leaves, bark, and flowers are toxic too, but the tetranortriterpenoid toxins are most concentrated in the fruit, and ingestion can cause vomiting and diarrhea followed by seizures.
The fruit is the most dangerous part
The toxins are present throughout the plant but are most concentrated in the ripe yellow berries. The round, hard fruits are easy for a cat to roll and play with, and biting or swallowing one during play causes poisoning. Fallen fruit under the tree is the real hazard, so start your control there.
How cats get exposed
It isn't a houseplant, but the main route is a cat playing with or swallowing fruit that has dropped in gardens, on walking paths, or around parking areas. If your cat roams the yard, take extra care during fruiting season and clear fallen berries often.
How symptoms progress
Signs usually begin within 2–6 hours with vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. As the toxins act on the nervous system, you may see agitation, tremors, and unsteady walking, progressing in severe cases to seizures. Neurological signs can follow gastrointestinal ones, so don't just watch even if early symptoms are mild.
What to do right now
If there's any sign your cat chewed the fruit or leaves, go to an animal hospital immediately even if symptoms look mild. Don't induce vomiting at home; bringing a suspect berry or piece of the plant helps the exam. Neurological signs can progress quickly, so early treatment matters.
Details
- Scientific name
- Melia azedarach
- Common name
- Bead Tree
- Family
- Meliaceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts (especially the fruit)
- Compounds
- Tetranortriterpenoids
- Source
- ASPCA
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