Tamarind🌿

An evergreen tree in the legume family, the only species of its genus. Native to Africa but long cultivated in India and Southeast Asia, where the fruit is essential as a souring agent in Thai and Indian cooking. The sticky brown tart pulp (seeds removed) is used in curries, chutneys, drinks, sweets, and Worcestershire sauce. Grows 20–30 m tall as a massive tropical tree; its pinnate leaves close at night (nyctinasty).

Identification Points

• ✓Pinnate leaves with 10–20 pairs of small oblong leaflets
• ✓Leaves close at night (nyctinasty)
• ✓Brown legume pod 10–15 cm long with tart sticky pulp

Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification

Phylogenetic Positionマメ科 →