Common Name: Velvet Tamarind

General Information

Velvet tamarind is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that can grow 25 - 35 metres tall[]. The straight bole has small buttresses, it can be free of branches for 16 - 18 metres and 80 - 100cm in diameter[, , ].
The tree produces a valuable timber that is traded internationally as Keranji. It is harvested from the wild for its timber, which is also used locally[]. Trees are difficult to cut because of the dense wood and as they are also scattered, commercial extraction is not favoured[]. The tree is sometimes planted as a fruit-bearing and shade tree[]. The edible pods are sold at local markets in some areas[, ].
The tree is becoming rarer in many parts of its range, especially Vietnam, due to local overexploitation for its timber[]. It has therefore been listed as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2009)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Dense evergreen and semi-deciduous forest and in transitional forest between evergreen and open dipterocarp forest, at elevations up to 800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 800 metres[].
Prefers a well-drained soil[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

The sweet pulp of the fruit is edible[]. Rather like tamarind but not as tasteful[]. The ripened fruits are mixed with sugar and chilli peppers, wrapped in thin plastic sheets and sold in markets as a dessert[]. The fruit is an ovoid, indehiscent pod 18 - 20mm long and 13 - 15mm wide[]. Ach pod contains 1 - 2 seeds that are embedded in a yellowish, sticky, sweet and edible substance[].

The bark is sometimes used as a masticatory - as a substitute for Areca in betel quid[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is used locally as a shade tree[].
A natural pioneer species within its native range[].

Other Uses

A brown dye is obtained from the bark[].

The veins are dense and fine and easy to polish. The wood is used as timber for construction (doors, windows), boat-building and daily utensils[, ].

This tree is one of several species yielding a timber known as 'Keranji'[]. The general description of this wood is as follows:-
The heartwood is golden-brown or red-brown; clearly demarcated from the white to yellowish sapwood. The texture is fine to moderately coarse and even; the grain interlocked or wavy[]. The wood is heavy; moderately durable but the sapwood is susceptible to insect and fungal attack. It can be easy to very difficult to resaw and cross-cut depending on the species; planing is easy to slightly difficult, and the planed surface is moderately smooth; nailing property is good[]. The wood is suitable for heavy construction, flooring, handles for striking tools and batons[].

Propagation

Seed - it probably has a long viability. The seeds have hard seed coat, which must be scarified before the seeds will imbibe water and germinate. Any method (manual nicking, filing or burning, hot water or sulphuric acid) used for pre-treatment of hard seed can be applied. There are presumably inhibitors in the fruit flesh, but these will naturally be removed by processing and cleaning the seed. However, attempts to sow the whole fruit in order to avoid the tedious pre-treatment will most likely give very low germination[].
The seed is usually sown in individual, deep containers. Germination is quick; at optimal conditions and after proper pre-treatment, germination commences 1 - 2 days after sowing, and seedlings with unfolded cotyledons and two persistent leaves have developed after 10 - 14 days[].

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