Tamarind
Tamarindus indica
- Native to:
- Comoros, Guam, Madagascar, Navassa Island, Palau, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Ivar Leidus
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Tamarindus
- Species:
- Tamarindus indica
- USDA Symbol:
- TAIN2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, red
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
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
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, butterflies
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Mature trees can resprout from the base after fire damage due to thick bark and deep root system.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification by soaking in hot water or mechanical abrasion greatly improves germination. Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI