Comments on: Botanical MeFites: please ID this plant

Question: Botanical MeFites: please ID this plant

limeyboy — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 04:23:59 -0800

BotanicalFilter: What kind of plant is this? Posted a photo of an unknown (because I'm ignorant of such things) plant found in Southern Spain to Flickr. Now other Flickr-ites and botanists are arguing over the correct identification: Carob or Tamarind seem favourite. Do Mefites know better? Photo and comments so far at http://www.flickr.com/photos/andresv/290458848/. Comments on this forum or flickr welcome. Thanks.

By: donp17

donp17 — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 04:32:56 -0800

Pods and leaves look like tamarind, at least from what I could see on Wikipedia.

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 07:29:18 -0800

The tamarind I've seen in stores here (in DC) is usually shorter and fatter, and the wikipedia photo seems to confirm that. But I'd guess therre are different varieties. I've never seen carob, though.

By: roofus

roofus — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 08:16:03 -0800

This may not be entirely practicable, but if you send a leaf, or a seed pod to Kew Gardens in London they will identify it for you for free. Perhaps you could email them the photo.

By: i_am_joe's_spleen

i_am_joe's_spleen — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 11:13:26 -0800

I have seen carob and munched their tasty pods. That's no carob. Carob pods are shinier and have less pronounced bulges around the seeds, which are smaller. Also carob leaves are larger.

Never seen a tamarind.

By: owhydididoit

owhydididoit — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 00:17:23 -0800

Tamarind doesn't grow wild in Southern Spain, but carob does. Also, carob trees exhibit cauliflory, or flowers/fruits that grow directly from limbs. In your picture, the tree appears rather young, so it is hard to say, but the fruit seems to be growing in such a fashion.