NORTHERN or WILD TAMARIND Diploglottis diphyllostegia

Description: Growing to a height of between 6 to 10 metres in the garden, with a spreading crown. Flushes of new growth are decorative, covered with fine golden brown hairs giving it a delicate, fury appearance. A handsome tree, similar in many respects to its southern cousin, D. australis but much smaller.

Flowers are small, cream-brown, carried in large panicles and occur from August to November.

The fruit are yellowish, hairy, 2 to 3 lobed capsules about 2.5 cm across. The capsules split to reveal the seeds enclosed by a fleshy, orange-yellow aril. Fruiting occurs between September to December and individual trees are capable of producing a large quantity of fruit.

Uses: The aril is the edible part which is refreshingly acid to taste. Its sweet, tart flavour lends itself to both sweet and savoury applications. It can be made into jams, jellies, drinks and sauces.