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Tree with a tang

Tamarind with its feathery crown and strong branches is an ideal avenue tree

USEFUL TREE Tamarindus indica

Tamarind is known in Hindi, Gujarati and Bengali as imli, in Tamil and Malayalam as puli and in Telugu as chintapandu. It belongs to the family Caesalpiniaideae.

It is a handsome tree with a dome-like crown and can reach a height of 30 metres. The name tamarind is derived from the Arabic `tama', which means `date of India' because its thick pulp resembles preserved dates. However, it is a native of Africa, common throughout the tropics, and introduced to India in ancient times. Its bark is dark grey and fissured and the leaves are feathery (5-15 cm) with 10-20 pairs of leaflets, opposite, without a terminal leaflet.

The tree flowers from May to June and bears 10-cm long clusters of pale yellow blossoms, variegated with red stalks and fine stamens. The pod is 2.5 cm long, thick, curved and green when unripe. The pulp turns dark brown with fibres traversing through it when ripe. The seeds are hard, brown and shiny. The pulp is used to season curries, chutneys and sauces (tender leaves are also used in curries and chutneys).

New leaves appear in March-April. When young, they have a brilliant emerald hue. Being feathery, they give the tree a graceful appearance. As the strong, supple branches are resistant to strong winds, the tree is ideal for avenues. It is a source of valuable timber.

Tamarind has many medicinal values. The pulp mixed with honey and lime-juice is a cure for nausea, and helps digestion. The leaves boiled or heated are used on swellings and sprains to give relief. Tamarind is used in many ayurvedic medicines.

CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN

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