Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean
Introduction
False tamarind is native to South Florida and grows moderately fast, up to 30 to 60 feet tall and 50 feet wide, its slender, short trunk topped with long, somewhat arching branches forming an umbrella-like silhouette. The dark green, pinnately compound, fern-like leaves are a showy red when young and make a striking contrast, the new and older growth appearing together. Developing into a more open tree with age, false tamarind makes an ideal shade, park, or seaside planting.
Figure 1. Full Form - Lysiloma latisiliquum: false tamarind Credit: UF/IFAS
Common name(s): false tamarind,wild-tamarind, Bahama lysiloma
Family: Fabaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Fig. 6)
Origin: native to Florida, the West Indies, southern Mexico, and Central America
UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: native
Uses: reclamation; street without sidewalk; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; shade; highway median; specimen; parking lot island 100-200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; container or planter
Figure 2. Range
Description
Height: 30 to 60 feet
Spread: 30 to 50 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular
Crown shape: vase, weeping
Crown density: open
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: fine
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: bipinnately compound; primary leaflets are in pairs of 3 to 5 and made up of 10 to 20 pairs of secondary leaflets
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: obovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches; secondary leaflets are ½ inch
Leaf color: dark green on top, paler green underneath
Flower characteristics: not showy; mildly fragrant; emerges in dense clusters on ½-¾ wide globular heads; each head is attached to a 1 ½" long stalk and emerges from leaf axils in groups of 3
Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases
Use and Management
Cities have planted false tamarind along streets with good success. They are probably well suited for this use. Codominant stems form very low on the trunk without proper pruning and training, and branches will droop toward the ground. Specify trees for planting along streets and in parking lots that have a clear trunk to about five feet or more to help avoid this problem. If large branches are allowed to develop below this point, the tree could become disfigured as these branches have to be removed in the future to allow for passage of vehicles and pedestrians. Locate the first permanent branch 6 (preferably 10) or more feet from the ground to allow for clearance. Low branches can be left on the tree if it will be planted in a yard, park or other location where vehicle clearance is not a concern.
Major branches often develop embedded or included bark as they grow at the same rate as the trunk. They often grow to about the same size as the trunk. This does not appear to be a problem on small trees but could encourage branch breakage as the tree grows older. Try to keep the major branches from growing larger than about two-thirds the diameter of the trunk.
The small, white flowers appear in late spring as fuzzy globes and are followed by four to six-inch-long, thin, flattened, red/brown seedpods which disperse their brown seeds in fall.
False tamarind should be grown in full sun or partial shade on rich, well-drained soil and is sensitive to freezing weather. The tree is also highly drought- and salt-tolerant making it ideal for use in seaside landscapes.
Propagation is by seed.
Pests
Stem galls.
Diseases
Rust diseases.
Reference
Koeser, A.K., Friedman, M.H., Hasing, G., Finley, H., Schelb, J. 2017. Trees: South Florida and the Keys. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
