Tamarindus Indica, Imli - 0.5 kg Seeds

Tamarindus indica (Tamarindus indica), the tamarind or imli, is a large, long-lived evergreen tree of the legume family that grows 18-25 m tall with a dense, spreading crown of fine, feathery pinnate leaves. It bears curved, brown pods filled with sticky, sour-sweet pulp around hard seeds, the pulp being a staple souring agent in Indian cooking. Though probably of African origin, it has been naturalised in India for centuries and is found throughout the warmer plains, especially the Deccan and the south, often as a roadside and village shade tree.

It is valued as a multipurpose tree: the fruit pulp is a major culinary and commercial product, the dense, durable heartwood is prized for furniture, tool handles and turnery, and the tree gives excellent shade and fuelwood. It is widely planted along avenues, on field boundaries and in agroforestry, while the bark, leaves and seeds feature in traditional medicine and the leaves serve as fodder.

• Family: Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae)
• Native region: Tropical Africa, long naturalised in India
• Mature height: 18-25 m
• Growth rate: Slow to moderate

Sowing the seed: the hard, glossy seed coat benefits from soaking in water for 24 hours, or light scarification, to speed water uptake. Sow about 2-3 cm deep in well-drained sandy loam in polybags or nursery beds and keep warm and moist; germination follows in roughly 7-14 days. Grow the seedlings on for a season and transplant when 30-50 cm tall, ideally at the onset of the monsoon.