Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) -Trees of India

March 23rd, 2007 | admin

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is an evergreen tree that produces a characteristic fruit with hard, brown skin and sour fruits with 5-16 seeds enclosed. Tamarind trees are grown widely in South India, usually without any serious management. They are evergreen plants and are planted as avenue trees in areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. There are also plantations where tamarind trees are grown on a commercial scale.

Tamarind is mostly cultivated when the fruit is fully ripe. All kitchens of India (especially south Indian) will have tamarind, which is used in a variety of preparations. There are different benefits for the fruits – it increases immune system.

The wood of the tree is very strong, but is a hard to manage furniture material. Then again it is used in furniture of various kinds. Other main application of tamarind wood is in agricultural tools like plough. It is hard to get a long and straight enough piece of wood. But in places of favorable conditions, tamarind trees reach a height of up to 30 meters, with 20 meters of straight wood that have 20-35 inch diameter. Such wood can be used for furniture and in wood flooring.

Tamarindus indica belongs to the plant family fabaceae (subfamily – leguminosae or pea family).