TAMARIND
Family
– Leguminosae
Scientific name – Tamarindus indica
Common
names –
1) Imli in
Hindi.
2) Chinch in Marathi.
3) Amli in
Gujrati.
4) Tentul in
Bengali.
Growing
areas –
1) It grows
well in tropical countries.
2) It grows
also in southern Europe.
3) It very adaptable
tree.
4) Origin is
form central Africa.
General
Information –
1) It is large
tree with the crown of leaves and short trunk.
2) It is nearly
evergreen in moist areas and nearly deciduous in dry areas.
3) This tree
grows very slowly.
4) It has very
long deep roots and its bark is thick, almost black, cracked and uneven.
5) It lives very long period. (more than appox. 200 yrs)
Leaves of
the Tamarind Tree –
1) The leaves
of this tree fall and are replaced immediately, this happens normally in April,
May and June in dry areas.
2) The leaves
are dark green when new but as they becomes old the colour turns into the dull
dusty green colour.
3) The young
leaflets which together form the whole leaf are small and thick.
Flowers
of the Tamarind Tree –
1) The flowers
are hardly noticed but they are very pretty and scented.
2) The flowers
are pink, purplish cream or yellow veined and hang in loose bunches from the
ends of the branches from April to June, and often later in the year.
Fruits of
the Tamarind Tree –
1) The fruits
are ripen from the February to April.
2) The seed
cases are differ in shape. Some are long, Some curved, others flat and small.
3) They are
green first covered with brownish fur, and later turn dark brown or reddish
black and brittle.
4) The pulp
inside the seed cases surrounds the seeds and it is sour in taste.
Uses of
the Tamarind Tree –
1) The fruit is
favourite for the pickles and curries.
2) The seeds
are ground to make flour which used for making chapatis.
3) These trees
are often planted in parks and avenues and it is very hard.
4) The wood is
often used for charcoal, making wooden hammers and furniture.
5) The seeds of
this tree are commercially used as they contain pectin which is used in making
jams and jellis.
