Manila Tamarind, Camachile (Pithecellobium dulce)
Manila Tamarind is a really interesting looking medium-sized evergreen leguminous tree in the pea family. The fruits, or bean pods, are rich in Vitamin C. They're bright pink in color, can be eaten fresh, and are often made into a sweet start drink similar to lemonade. The plant is Nitrogen fixing, drought tolerant, salt tolerant, and can grow in most types of soil. It's native India, and the Pacific Coast and adjacent highlands of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
Plant Type:
Evergreen Fruiting Tree
Harvest Season:
Spring
Soil & Moisture:
Rich, well-draining soil.
Salt tolerant.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Fast
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 10a-11 with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Propagation:
Our Manila Tamarind is grown from seed, capable of harvest within 1-2 years.
Plant Type:
Tropical/Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree
Harvest Season:
Spring, Summer
Tamarinds may be left on the tree for as long as 6 months after maturity so that the moisture content will be reduced to 20% or lower. In Florida, Central America, and the West Indies, the flowers appear in summer, the green fruits are found in December and January and ripening takes place from April through June. A mature tree may annually produce 330 to 500 of fruits.
Mature Size:
30+ ft. Can take excessive pruning in the summer. Prized Bonsai specimen.
Soil & Moisture:
Rich well-draining soil. Once established, tamarind trees can withstand periods of drought. Tamarind trees tolerate a wide diversity of soil types, from deep alluvial soil to rocky land and porous, oolitic limestone. It withstands salt spray and can be planted fairly close to the seashore.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Slow, Medium
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11 with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Very young trees should be protected from cold but older trees are surprisingly hardy.
Propagation:
Medium Size: grown from seed and capable to produce fruit within 3-4 years.
XL Size: grafted or air-layered, capabale of blooming and producing fruit now.
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