Tamarindus indica L.

Descrission:

Family: CaesalpinaceaeDistriution:Wide spread in tropics.Photographed at Nellore, in our college.Planted along road sides and waste places. It is popularly known as tamarind. Pods, flowers and leaves are edible. Mesocarp of the fruit is widely used for culinary purpose. Sour to taste due to the presence of tartaric acid and malic acids. Large ever green trees. 10-15mts tall, bark longitudinally fissured,. Leaves 4-10cm long, pinnate,leaflets 6-8 pairs. 1-1.5x0.3-0.5 cm, oblong. Flowers 0.8-1cm long, yellow with orrange stripes, in 2-4cm long lax racemes, Petals 3, stamens 3 fertile and monodelphous,. Pod 5-10x 1-2cm, linear or curved, mesocarp pulpy.Seeds hard.The pulp of the fruit is shade dried and sold as "Chinthapandu" It is widely used by South Indians in their culinary. The tender leaves and dried leaves ; flowers are also used to prepare food items.Reference: Flora of presidency of Madras by J.S Gamble, ENVIS, Flora of Nellore district By B.Suryanarayana &A.S Rao