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Manila Tamarind Flower Wikimedia Commons
Fabaceae

Manila Tamarind Flower

Pithecellobium dulce

Endurance and generosity.

Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Pithecellobium
Native to
Mexico, Central America, Northern South America
Bloom season
Winter, Spring
Type
tree
Height
30-50 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, adaptable
Water
low to moderate
Hardiness
10-12
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Despite the name, Manila tamarind is not a true tamarind and is native to the Americas, not the Philippines.
  • Spanish colonists brought the tree to the Philippines via the Manila galleon trade route in the 1600s, giving it its common name.
  • The small, globular flower heads are made up of dozens of tiny flowers with prominent stamens, resembling miniature powder puffs.
  • Its sweet, edible seed pods are a popular street food across India, Mexico, and Southeast Asia.
  • The tree is remarkably drought-tolerant and is used in arid regions for reforestation and as a living fence.

Color meanings

0

endurance

1

generosity

2

sustenance

Uses

  • edible fruit pods
  • shade tree
  • living fences
  • traditional medicine