But the specific name 'indica' means 'of Indian origin'. And the genus name 'Tamarindus' is of Arabic root; Tamar = date, (h)ind = Indian, meaning Indian date, as the dried pulp resembles the fruits of date palm. Probably it IS native of India, relying on its Arabic name, as the Arabs came to India long before the British botanists did!
But, Africa, Asia or India, the Tamarind Tree just wouldn't care where it grows, so long as the climate is right, tropical, thriving on various soil conditions, clayish, loamy or slightly sandy, telling us just one thing - "If you don’t care where you are, you ain’t lost".
And sure enough, it is planted all over Singapore, for its looks - pretty, cute, handsome or majestic, you may call.
Seen here, is a row of them along Woodlands Avenue 7.
Elsewhere it is grown for its edible fruits, used for food flavouring, and timber. A slow growing tree that can reach up to 30 metres in height.
