| Binomial |
Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. |
| Family |
Fabaceae |
| Tamil name |
கொடுக்காப்புளி (Kodukkaapuli) |
| Habit |
Drought and salt tolerant, medium sized semi-evergreen tree |
| Bark |
Spiny, stout, greyish trunk with low irregular branches, |
| Flowers |
Small, cream white, occurs in small round heads |
| Fruits |
Fleshy twisted pods with thick seeds covered with red pulpy aril |
| Flowering period |
January to March |
| Pollinators |
Bees |
| Native to Central America |
The term ‘pithecellobium’ is of Greek origin. Pithekos in Greek means monkey and ellobium means earring. The tree got its name due to the shape of the fruit, and the term ‘dulce’ refers
to the sweetness of the fruit. The tree is best known for its sweet edible aril, which is either consumed fresh or as an infusion. The tree is known as a hedge plant and is widely used as such in Southern India, especially Tamil Nadu. Locally the wood is used to make cart wheels and agricultural implements. The flowers of this tree produce excellent quality nectar. The leaves are cooked with salt and are consumed to treat indigestion. The bark extract is used for chronic diarrhoea, constipation and tuberculosis. The bark is also said to treat gum infections. Tannins obtained are used to soften leather. The pods are relished by livestock and chickens. |
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