Trees 5–10[–25] m; bark brownish gray, shaggy. Leaves 3.5–15 cm; stipules linear, 4 × 1 mm, apex acuminate; petiole (3–)5–8(–11) mm, glabrous; rachis straight, (2–)5–10.5 cm; petiolules absent; leaflet blades oblong-elliptic, (8–)12–18(–21) × (3–)4–7(–9) mm, base round to oblique, apex truncate, emarginate, surfaces lustrous. Inflorescences lax; axis glabrous; bracts caducous, red-tinged, 2 × 0.5–1 mm, apex truncate or obtuse; bracteoles caducous, paired proximal to calyx, red-tinged, 2 × 1 mm, apex subacute. Pedicels (5–)8–12 mm. Flowers: calyx 10–12 mm, puberulent; lobes lanceolate, abaxialmost lobe 2 mm longer than 2 lateral lobes, 2 adaxial lobes rounded, connate nearly to apex; petals: abaxial 2 scalelike, adaxial 3 well developed, 10–15 mm; stamens: 3 fertile, 7 sterile and bristlelike; filaments connate 2/3 their length; anthers dehiscing laterally, 2.5 mm; ovary stipitate, stalk adnate to calyx tube, 8 mm, puberulent; style glabrous; stigma terminal, truncate or capitate. Legumes (5–)7.5–12[–20] × 2–2.5 cm, base broadly rounded, apex rounded, surfaces rough, leathery in age. Seeds dark brown to black, 10–15 mm, glossy, smooth. 2n = 24 (26, 28).
Phenology: Flowering spring–summer.
Habitat: Thickets, pinelands.
Elevation: 0–50 m.
Distribution
Introduced; Fla., Asia, introduced also in Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, worldwide in tropical regions.
Discussion
Tamarindus indica is planted as an ornamental in southern Florida. Fruits from plants in the West Indies, and those planted or naturalized in North America, are generally shorter and have fewer seeds than those from the Old World. Tamarind is an important tree in most tropical countries. The pulpy mesocarp of the fruits has a pleasant, acidic flavor; it is an essential ingredient in Worcestershire sauce and Caribbean-style jerk sauces.
Selected References
None.