落葉喬木，為平地疏林灌叢區常見的樹種，抗旱、防風。樹皮暗褐色，有深縱裂紋，多有樹脂凝結於幹上。2～3回奇數羽狀複葉，長約40～70公分，小羽片3或5枚，近對生或互生；小葉每邊2～4枚，橢圓形或橢圓狀披針形，長約3～5公分，寬約1.5～2公分，先端銳尖或漸尖，歪基。
花序長約15～25 公分，淡紫色；花瓣5枚，雄蕊筒呈紫黑色，與花瓣同長；花蕊10，子房著生於短的花盤上，5～6室，每室內含胚珠2枚；花柱短，藏於雄蕊筒內，柱頭頭狀。果實呈核果狀，橢圓形，徑1公分，成熟時呈黃褐色，而木質化之豎核，再分成6室，每室有種子1粒。
原產於日本、中國、印度、琉球和臺灣本島，春天開花，頗具特色亦具香味，惟因名稱有凋零枯萎，具不祥徵兆，一般民眾不種在家園中。1830年引入美國廣汎栽培，在喬治亞洲及南卡羅納洲，已成為外來馴化入侵種。秋天成熟時，多數鵯科、鴉科及鴷鬚科鳥雀喜食。常用於行道樹、公園景觀樹，臺灣公路兩旁及海邊常見。樹幹通直、材質優良，也有取其木材製為家俱者。
其種子稱為「金鈴子」，在《本草備要》中載明了金鈴子『性味：苦寒有小毒，入肝經；功用：濕熱、治疝氣、殺蟲、舒緩肝經、利小便…』。因此入藥主治蟲積、疝痛。因其根莖、樹皮及種子具毒性，現在可供藥用並提煉苦楝素（kumujian）製成生物高效殺蟲劑，可防治葉蟬、粉蝨等多種農業昆蟲及病害。
Chinaberry tree is a deciduous tree that is native to Japan, China, India and Taiwan. Its leaves can grow up to 50cm long, and they are alternate, long-petioled, odd-pinnate. Its leaflets are dark green on the upper surface and light green below. Its light purple flowers grow in clusters and are small and fragrant. Its light yellow fruit is a drupe, marble-sized when fully matured.
During the winter its flowers and fruits would wrinkle up and turn white; the locals usually associate this with misfortune, thus one would never plant this tree in their home gardens. Nevertheless, this tree is still valued as an ornamental tree and is commonly planted in parks and sidewalks. In 1830, Chinaberry tree was introduced into the US as an ornamental tree, but it was later regarded as an invasive species.
Chinaberry tree is known for its durability, and it’s a popular source of high quality timber. Its seeds, although slightly poisonous, can be used in herbal medicine. Its roots and tree bark is highly toxic and can be used to make pesticide.