Tamarind

Tamarindus indica

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Tamarindus
Species:
Tamarindus indica

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
More than 40 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
orange, red, yellow

Native Range

United States: Florida, Guam, Navassa Island, Puerto Rico, Palau, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Caribbean pod borer (Fundella pellucens), almond moth (Cadra cautella), Carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae), Ectomyelois decolor, navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella), Phidotricha erigens

Reported Fauna Sightings

Butterflies:Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius), Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius), Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole), Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole), Eastern Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes), Eastern Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes), Florida Purplewing (Eunica tatila), Florida Purplewing (Eunica tatila), Great Southern White (Ascia monuste), Great Southern White (Ascia monuste), Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae), Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae), 🛑Hammock Skipper (Polygonus leo), 🛑Hammock Skipper (Polygonus leo), Heraclides ponceana (Heraclides ponceana), Julia (Dryas iulia), Julia (Dryas iulia), Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe), Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe), Mangrove Buckeye (Junonia evarete), Mangrove Buckeye (Junonia evarete), Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia), Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
deep, well-drained sandy loam
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
thrives in semi-arid tropical regions