Wild tamarind, Northern Tamarind
Diploglottis diphyllostegia

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A tree up to 30 m high. It spreads 3-10 m wide. The bark is grey. The young shoots are angular and have brown hairs. The leaves are 20-40 cm long. The leaves are compound. There are 4-18 leaflets and these are 4-19 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The leaves are hairy underneath. The fruit are 8-17 mm long by 15-28 mm wide. They occur in bunches in the axils of leaves. There are 1-3 seeds. The seeds are 1 cm across. The seeds are covered with an aril or layer that lets light through. This aril is edible.

There are 8 Diploglottis species.

Where it is found

They grow in tropical and subtropical areas. It grows naturally in rainforest in Queensland, Australia. It grows between sea level and 900 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fleshy aril can be eaten or used for drinks or jelly. They can be used for jam.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit aril

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed. The flesh is removed and the seed soaked in water for 12 hours before planting.

They are fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cupania diphyllostegia F. Muell.; Diploglottis cunninghamii var. diphyllostegia J. F. Baileyl Diploglottis cunninghamii var. muelleri J. F. Bailey; Diploglottis australis var. muelleri (Bailey) Radlk.;