Twigs are stout, maroon and shiny with a 3-lobed leaf scar and tan fuzzy buds. Bark is purple-maroon and shiny on young stems and brown and ridged on larger trees. Flowers are purple and showy.
Fruit is a yellow-brown, poisonous drupe that persists over winter.
Chinaberry has naturalized in open and disturbed areas throughout the southeast. Intolerant of shade. Click on photo to enlarge. All text and photographs are intended for educational purposes only and are not for commercial use in any form. 1999, all rights reserved.