Tamarindus indica

Tamarindus indica

Family: Fabaceae

Sub-family: Caesalpinioideae

Common name: Tamarind tree

Tamarind is a large, common tree with a massive trunk, pinnate leaves, small yellow flowers, and distinctive reddish-brown pods. It has a stocky trunk, drooping branches, and a domed, umbrella-shaped crown. The leaves are long, with 10 to 18 pairs of oblong leaflets. The flowers are pale yellow, with purple or red veins, adding a vibrant contrast. The pods are velvety and cinnamon brown, sausage-shaped, and constricted between the seeds. The pulp surrounding the seeds is both sweet and intensely sour.

Tamarind is widely used as a functional food, with its sweet and tangy pulp featured in various cuisines. It is also utilized in the pharmaceutical and textile industries and serves as fodder. The tree’s trunk is valued for its timber.