Description
Pithecellobium Dulce is a small to medium-sized semi-evergreen leguminous tree, 5 to 20 m in height.
Jungle Jalebi is a large, nearly evergreen tree that grows up to 20 m or more in height, It has a broad crown, up to 30 m across, and a short trunk, up to 1 m thick, at the base of each leaf is normally found a pair of short, sharp spines, though some specimens are spineless. Leaves are deciduous but foliage is persistent, as the new leaves appear while the old ones are being shed, so that the tree looks like an evergreen. Flowers are white-greenish and slightly fragrant.Pods are greenish-brown to red or pinkish, rather thin. There are about 10 seeds per pod. Pods are irregularly in shape and flattened, set in a spirals of 1 to 3 whorls and strangled between the seeds - looks like the north Indian sweet, Jalebi.
Plant Specifications
| Plant Height | 24 inch (61 cm) |
| Plant Spread | 6 inch (15 cm) |
*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%
| Common Name | Manilla Tamarind, Madras Thorn, Sweet tamarind, Jangal Jalebi |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 20 - 25 meters |
| Flower Colour | White-greenish |
| Bloom Time | Late winter - Early spring |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to grow. |
Pithecellobium Dulce care
It can be propagated best through seed.Seed takes about 2 weeks to germinate. No pre-treatment is required, soaking actually reduces germination and heating kills the seeds. Best sown into nursery beds and planted out when about 12 months old.
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderately |
| Soil | Well drained and fertile soil. |
| Temperature | 18 - 27 degrees C. |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer. |
| Harvest Season | January - March |
Pithecellobium Dulce uses
Ornamental Use:
- Can be grown as avenue plant
Medicinal Use:
- The leaves can be used as a plaster to allay pain even from venereal sores, and can relieve convulsions
- A paste made from the leaves is applied externally to treat muscular swellings caused by some inflammations
- The leaves together with salt can cure indigestion and, in larger doses, can also induce abortion
- Note : Use as per doctors prescription
Culinary Use:
- This flesh can be eaten raw, boiled or made into a refreshing beverage that is suggestive of lemonade
- Seeds - raw or eaten in curries