Native Tamarind - Diploglottis australis

Description: Diploglottis australis is a slender, palm-like gully tree that bears sweet, tart fruits prolifically each season. It occurs naturally in temperate and sub-tropical regions along the east coast of Australia.

Creamy brown flowers form in Spring, maturing from October to January. The fleshy yellow-orange fruit is sour to taste, but like the Asian Tamarind, may be enjoyed raw or processed into jams, jellies, sauces, candies and drinks.

Fruits will fall from the tree when ripe, and should be collected as soon as possible as they are a favourite of ants, birds, bats and other garden creatures.

Native Tamarind may be grown in full sun or part shade, as long as it’s sheltered from strong winds and frosts. It prefers moist soil throughout the year, but can thrive in a range of soil types under most pH conditions.

This tree can grow to 35m in the wild, but more commonly to 8m tall in a domestic garden, but will also do fine in a large pot. As it grows vigorously, it needs regular pruning to keep it at a manageable size. The large, velvety leaves make for an attractive and desirable pot plant in a patio or courtyard setting.

Size: 8 to 35m tall

Edible: Yes, the fleshy yellow-orange fruit is sour to taste, but like the Asian Tamarind, may be enjoyed raw or processed into jams, jellies, sauces, candies and drinks.

Pollinator: Yes, many creamy brown flowers in spring. 

Nitrogen / Biomass: Does not fix Nitrogen but could be used as a biomass accumulator for chop and drop.

Deciduous: Evergreen, non-deciduous.

Native Distribution: The southernmost limit of natural distribution is Brogo near Bega in New South Wales. They grow naturally along the east coast, northwards to near Proserpine in tropical Queensland.