Tamarind Plant – Description
Botanical Name: Tamarindus indica
Common Names: Tamarind, Imli (Hindi), Puli (Tamil), Chintapandu (Telugu), Tentul (Bengali)
Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
Native To: Tropical Africa; widely cultivated in South Asia and tropical regions worldwide
🌳 General Description:
Tamarind is a long-lived, medium to large evergreen tree known for its edible, tangy-sweet fruit pods. It is culturally and economically significant in many tropical regions due to its culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses.
🌿 Botanical Features:
Height: 12–25 meters (40–80 feet)
Crown: Dense, wide-spreading, rounded canopy
Leaves: Feathery, pinnate leaves with 10–20 pairs of tiny leaflets
Flowers: Small, pale yellow or cream with red or orange streaks, in loose clusters
Fruit Pods:
Brown, curved or straight
Thick outer shell with sticky, dark brown pulp inside
Contains 5–12 hard, glossy brown seeds
🌞 Growing Conditions:
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam to clay loam; tolerant of poor soils
Water: Drought-tolerant once established; deep watering during dry periods
Climate: Hot, semi-arid to tropical climates; moderately frost-sensitive when young
🌰 Seed & Propagation:
Seed Germination: 7–14 days (soak seeds overnight before sowing for better results)
Other Methods: Also propagated by grafting or air-layering for true-to-type fruit quality
Spacing: 8–10 meters apart (for full-sized trees)
🍬 Uses:
Culinary:
Fruit pulp used in chutneys, curries, sauces, beverages, and candies
Young leaves used in some regional dishes
Medicinal (Traditional):
Used for digestion, sore throat, fever, and as a mild laxative
Timber: Wood is durable and used for making furniture, tools, and wheels
Shade Tree: Commonly planted along roadsides and in gardens
🌳 Notable Characteristics:
Lifespan: 80–200 years
Self-pollinating: Produces fruit without needing another tree
Low Maintenance: Resistant to pests and diseases; grows slowly but steadily
Would you like a guide on how to grow tamarind from seed or tips for improving fruit yield?