Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.

• Scientific Name: Pithecellobium dulce
• Family:Leguminosae

Sub Family: Mimosoideae

• Genus: Pithecellobium
• Species: dulce
Common Names:
• English: Madras Thorn, Sweet Inga, Jungle Bean
• Malayalam: Korukkappulimaram
• Tamil: கொடுக்காய்ப் புளி
Synonyms:
• Inga dulce (an earlier synonym)
• Mimosa dulce (another older synonym)
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Botanical Description:
• Habit: Pithecellobium dulce is a small to medium-sized, deciduous tree or shrub. It typically grows to about 6–12 meters (20–40 feet) in height.
• Leaves: The leaves are compound, pinnate, with a large number of small, oblong leaflets. The leaflets are arranged alternately along the leaf stalk.
• Flowers: The flowers are small, white to creamy, and are borne in long clusters or spikes that hang down from the branches. They are sweet-smelling and attract bees.
• Fruits: The fruit is a long, curved pod (approximately 5–15 cm in length) that turns brown when mature. Inside the pod, there are sweet, edible seeds surrounded by a fibrous pulp.
• Roots: The tree has a deep and extensive root system, making it drought-tolerant once established.
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Uses:
1. Culinary:
o The sweet pulp inside the pods is edible and has a mild, sugary taste. It is consumed as a snack in many tropical countries.
o Seeds: After cooking, the seeds can be eaten, though they may require boiling to make them more palatable.
o The pods and pulp are sometimes used in traditional beverages or as a food ingredient in some cultures.
2. Medicinal:
o The leaves and bark are used in traditional medicine in some cultures to treat fevers, diarrhea, and digestive issues.
o The pods have mild laxative properties and can be used in small quantities to help with constipation.
3. Industrial Uses:
o The wood of Pithecellobium dulce is hard and used in making furniture, tools, and construction materials.
o The bark is used in some traditional craftwork, such as making ropes and mats.
4. Ornamental:
o Pithecellobium dulce is sometimes planted as an ornamental tree in gardens and landscapes due to its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers.
o The tree provides shade and is useful in reforestation or soil conservation projects in arid regions.
5. Ecological Uses:
o The tree is known to improve soil fertility by nitrogen fixation, making it a valuable species in agroforestry and soil rehabilitation programs.
o It is often planted for erosion control in degraded lands.
6. Cultural Uses:
o The tree is used for shade and landscaping in tropical and subtropical areas.
o Its pods are sometimes used in festivals, rituals, and as natural toys for children in some regions.