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GENERAL
Origin
:
sub-tropical,
tropical
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
direct sowing
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
very high (9000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-3°C
SHAPE
Type
:
tree
Height
:
8 m
Spread
:
5 m
Foliage
:
evergreen, semi-
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
green, white
Size
:
12 cm
Period
:
April - May
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
pod
Fruit size
:
18 cm
Toxicity
:
edible
Pithecellobium dulce is called by its common name Madras Thorn, or in Arabic lawz hindi. It
originally comes from Mexico, Florida and southeast Asia. Pithecellobium dulce is a tree growing
up to 8 metres high with a spread of about 5 metres. The leaves are green and entire, and bipinna-
tely arranged. The flower size is about 12 cm and the colour is greenish-white with a good flavour.
After flowering, aromatic pods appear with an edible sweet pulp. The tree will be propagated by
direct seeding. P. dulce is resistant to urban microclimates and drought. It needs medium irriga-
tion and withstands a medium salinity content in irrigation water. In landscape design, the tree is
very useful as a screen or plant providing shelter. Urban areas, public open spaces, park planting
and street planting are also areas where this tree may be used. The tree is effective as a specimen,
in grouped planting, in avenues and as linear planting. In Arriyadh, it is planted in many streets
and other locations, but the median of King Fahd Road is one of the harshest locations possible
that can be considered for the survival of a plant, where it is still standing after more than 17 ye-
ars. This makes Pithecellobium a very valuable plant for urban design in Arriyadh, because of its
low requirements, ability to adapt to unfavourable situations and the wide range of possible uses.
In Addiriyyah, it has been planted as a high-trunked specimen along roads, with good results.
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Pithecellobium dulce,
Fabaceae
Madras Thorn,
Manila Tamarind, Monkeypod, lawz hindi