Quick facts
| Arabic name | التمر الهندي |
|---|---|
| English name | Tamarind |
| Scientific name | Tamarindus indica |
| Family | Legume family (Fabaceae) |
| Plant type | Evergreen tree |
| Height | Usually 8 to 15 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
March to May
Harvest time
February to April
Pods ripen in late winter and springJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A wide dense top, fine feather-like leaves, yellow flowers with red lines, and brown pods with sticky pulp.
Where it grows
Grown in Jazan and Tihama.
Soil
Handles many well-drained soils.
Water and irrigation
Drought tolerant once settled.
Climate and light
Hot with full sun. Sensitive to frost.
Propagation
From seeds; improved types are grafted.
Benefits and uses
- Tamarind drink
- Used in cooking
- Wide shade
Drawbacks
- Slow growth at first
- Needs a lot of space
- Fallen pods need cleaning
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Tamarindus indica
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Tamarindus indica
- Wikipedia: Tamarind
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)