The Tamarind - Tamarindus indica, is most easily identified by the combination of pinnate leaves, blackened trunk areas, zig zag limbs and variable sized and colored fruit. The Tamarind is primarily an evergreen or semi deciduous tree that can reach heights of 65-100 feet or more. The diameter in the United States tends to only reach 5 feet while in it's native range it has been reported as large in diameter as 25 feet. It was introduced originally from tropical portions of Africa and India and has escaped cultivation and has established itself in Southern Florida.
Image Citation: Chua Cheng Hong, Bugwood.org
The leaf of the Tamarind is alternate, pinnate and 7.5-15 cm long. The leaflets are in 10-20 pairs even in numbers, oblong and oblique at the base and squared at the apex. The upper leaf surface is dark green or yellow green in color. The flowers are bisexual about 2.5 cm in diameter, 4 sepals, 3 petals yellow in color with pinkish streaks and crinkled margins appearing in Spring to early Summer.
Image Citation: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
A similar species the Wild Tamarind - Lysiloma latisiliquum, also has zig zag twigs and is similar in stature, however it's bark is a paler white-gray in color and it's plat, twisted pods do not vary in size.
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