Siyambala

• Common Name In Sri Lanka:

  Siyambala

• Scientific Name:

  Tamarindus indica

• Other Names:

• Zone:

• Size of Tree:

• Status:

• Average Height:

  

  Up to 25 meters

• Identification

  The greyish-brown trunk is finely grooved vertically and rough. The leaves are finely compound, with 8-20 pairs of leaflets that are 12-30 mm long and 3-10 mm broad, arranged in opposites, each oblong in shape with a rounded base and apex. Flowers are about 2 cm, pale yellow, borne in clusters up to 8. The fruit is a grey-brown fleshy pod up to 20 cm long and 1-1.5 cm thick, consisting of dark brown pulp at maturity and 2-4 round, compressed, shiny brown seeds.

• Habitat

  Scrubland and disturbed places.

• Special Notes

  Native tree. Fruit pulp used as a condiment. A valuable timber, often grown in home gardens.