Lysiloma latisiliqum. a. Flowering branch, b. Leaf outline, c. Flower, with subtending bracts, d. Stamens, e. Pistil, f. Floral diagram, g. Fruit. Drawn by Priscilla Fawcett. From Correll and Correll 1982.

It has always struck me as curious why this tree came to be called wild tamarind. The true tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is native to the Old World, and belongs to either the subfamily Caesalpinoideae or the distinct family Caesalpinaceae, depending on the specialist consulted. Lysiloma belongs in the subfamily Mimosoideae (or family Mimosaceae). The gibbous flowers of the Caesalpinoideae differ from the radially symmetrical blossoms of the Mimosoideae. Their flowers are not the only difference. Fruits of Tamarindus are indehiscent and contain abundant sweet pulp around the seeds. The genus Tamarindus is Latinized from Arabic tamar-hindi (date of India), in reference to the wide ancient use of the fruit pulp by people in India and nearby countries. Fruits in Lysiloma are dehiscent and do not have pulp.