Synonyms: 

Tamarindus occidentalis Gaertn.

Tamarindus officinalis Hook.

Systematic Position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Native: Tropical Africa 

Common Names

English – Tamarind tree

Malayalam – വാളൻ പുളി

Tamil –

Description:
The tree grows to about 25m tall and bears alternate, pinnately compound leaves with leaflets that are about 2cm long. The yellow flowers are borne in small clusters. The fruit is a plump legume 7.5–24 cm long that does not split open; it contains 1 to 12 large, flat seeds embedded in a soft, brownish pulp.

Habitat:  Moderate to large in size, evergreen tree.

Distribution: Throughout the tropical belt

Uses: A well-known commodity of Indian cuisine, and has medicinal and industrial uses. The fruit pulp is widely used in Asian culture. Tamarind contains ingredients that might have laxative effects and fight against certain fungi and bacteria

.