The Pithecellobium dulce is commonly known as Manila tamarind, is a tree that grows about a height of 10 to 15m, the trunks are spiny and the leaves are bipinnate. If you look at pinna there will be a single pair of ovate-oblong leaflets which are 2 to 4 cm long. The flowers are greenish and reach about 12cm in length. Actually, flowers produce a pod that turns pink and opens to expose the seed (either a pink or white, edible pulp). Within the pulp, there are black shiny seeds that are circular and flat. Good quality manila tamarind seeds are available in the Moolihai store.
Vernacular Names of Manila Tamarind
Botanical Name | : Pithecellobium Dulce |
English Name | : Manila Tamarind, Monkey Pod |
Tamil Name | : கொடுக்காப்புளி, கொடிக்காய் / kodukkappuli, kodikkai |
Hindi Name | : जंगल जलेबी / Jungle Jalebi |
Malayalam Name | : കോട്ടുക്കപ്പുലി / Keattukkappuli |
Telugu Name | : సీమ చింత / Seema Chinta |
Kannada Name | : Seeme Hunse, Seeme Hunase |
Marathi Name | : विलायती चिंच / Vilayatichinch |
As a Traditional Medicine
- The ground monkey pod seeds are used to treat and cure ulcers.
- The pulp from the monkey pod fruits is a great astringent that can be used for hemostatic, and hemoptysis.
- Extract derived from some of the non-specified parts of this plant is used to treat chronic diseases, diarrhea, tuberculosis.
- The leaves of manila tamarind are used in a poultice with alcohol to treat bile also it can help to prevent abortions.
- The manila tamarind Seeds are completely filled with a sweet pulp which can be eaten raw or prepared as a beverage, this is great for blood circulation
- Juice extracted from manila tamarind seeds can be gently inhaled into the nostrils against chest congestion and pulverized seeds are ingested for internal ulcers
- Seeds and leaves of kodukkappuli are rich in tannin, also the flesh around seeds can be eaten raw, cooked, or made into drinks.
- Edible oil can be obtained from the seeds, which can also be used in making soap.
Characteristics of Pithecellobium Dulce
Plant Type | : Small to medium-sized thorny | Flowering Season | : March-April |
Life Type | : Dry tropical and sub-tropical | Flowers Arrangement | : Grouped in small |
Soil | : Shallow, rocky, and skeletal soils | Sub-Spherical Head Size | : 7-12 mm |
Height | : 15 to 20 m | Flowers Per Head | : 20-30 flowers |
Width | : 30-50 cm | Fruit Shape | : Spiral curve into 1-2 circles |
Leaf Shape | : Oblong or elliptic | Fruit Color | : Green tinger red |
Leaflet Length | : 25 to 56 mm | Flesh Color | : Pinkish red and snow white |
Leaflet Width | : 9 to 32 mm | Taste | : Sweet |
Leaf Color | : Olive green | Fruiting Season | : June |
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