Riyadh Plants
Madras Thorn, Manila Tamarind, Monkeypod, lawz hindi
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 bipinnately 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 irrigation 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 years. 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.
