Tamarindus indica aka Tamarind

Tamarindus indica, or tamarind, belongs to the pea family. This tree grows in the tropics. Sources differ on its exact native range. Kew lists Comoros and Madagascar. Other sources point to tropical Africa. People now grow it across the tropics and subtropics. Some trees have spread beyond sites where people planted them. It grows in woodland, savannah, and along rivers. Useful Tropical Plants lists its conservation status as Least Concern.

Garden trees reach 40–65 feet (12.2–19.8 metres) tall. Their crowns spread 40–50 feet (12.2–15.2 metres) wide. Some sources report heights near 98 feet (30 metres). A short, thick trunk holds a broad, dense crown. Branches arch and droop to form a rounded shape. Dark bark has deep cracks running across and down it. Leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. Each even-pinnate leaf has 10–15 pairs of small leaflets. This means the leaflets grow in pairs, with none at the tip. They range from pale green to blue-green. Their undersides have a lighter shade. The tree stays evergreen but may shed leaves in dry regions.

Flowers bloom from May to August in hanging racemes, or clusters. Their petals are cream or pale yellow, with reddish veins. Sources differ on how showy the flowers look. Insects pollinate the flowers. Curved pods follow the blooms and turn brown as they ripen. Hard shells with a velvety feel stay closed. They hold seeds and sticky pulp. The sweet-sour pulp has many uses in food. People add it to drinks, chutneys, curries, and sauces. PFAF also lists flowers, leaves, and seeds as edible. It reports no known hazards. It gives no specific evidence on safety for pets.

Grow tamarind in full sun where frost does not occur. Missouri Botanical Garden places it in USDA zones 10–11. It prefers moist, rich, sandy soil that drains well. It also tolerates clay, loam, and acid or alkaline soils. Trees that have taken root cope well with drought. Growing guides still call for moderate water. The tree can cope with only limited salt spray. This makes exposed beach sites a poor fit. Pruning helps build a strong trunk and well-spaced main branches.

Tamarind serves as a shade, fruit, or street tree. Its large crown needs ample room in a garden. Branches resist wind, which helps in breezy sites. Fallen pods and leaves can litter paths and roads. Pests and disease seldom cause serious problems. Scale, mealybugs, aphids, and thrips can occur. So can caterpillars and fruit borers. Leaf spots and rot also occur at times. Sources record uses for bark and leaves in folk medicine. Other uses include wood, fuel, dyes, and tannins.