Velvet Tamarind Fruit Plant (Dialium cochinchinense)

Velvet Tamarind (Dialium cochinchinense) -

Botanical Name: Dialium cochinchinense

Common Name: Velvet Tamarind, Keranji

General Information:

Medium-sized, deciduous tree.

Can grow 25 - 35 meters tall.

Native: Ghana, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam, and many West African countries.

Produces valuable timber traded internationally as Keranji.

Harvested from the wild and used locally.

Edible sweet pulp, similar to tamarind but less tasteful.

Ripened fruits mixed with sugar and chili peppers, sold as dessert.

Fruit is an ovoid, indehiscent pod (18 - 20mm long, 13 - 15mm wide) containing 1 - 2 seeds.

Edible pods are sold at local markets.

Medical Applications:

Leaf decoction for gastric ulcer.

Diuretic properties in leaves aid in urine production.

Bark decoction for toothache, bronchitis, and inflammation of bronchial tubes.

Leaf decoction for jaundice, blood sugar regulation, and diabetes.

Analgesic properties for menstrual pain relief.

Pre-mature leaves heal wounds, promote skin health and protect from germs and moisture.

Additional Information:

Timber is a valuable international trade commodity.

Fruit has diverse medical applications, including treating gastric ulcers, hypertension, bronchitis, diabetes, menstrual pains, and wound healing.

Cultivation Information:

Bloom Time/Fruiting: 3 to 4 Years

Maintenance Required: Moderate