The tamarind tree is considered to be a traditional food plant in the African continent.
Tamarindus indica (tamarind). From the sausage-shaped fruits of the tamarind tree comes the sticky acidic pulp that has been used as a food ingredient for thousands of years.  Tamarind paste is just the fruit (separated from the pod and seeds) of the tamarind tree made into a ready-to-use cooking paste. It comes in a jar or plastic tub-like container and one bottle is likely all you will need for a very long time, as the paste is usually quite strong and condensed. Tamarind is a sticky, sour-tasting fruit that grows in large brown pods on the tamarind tree, a common fruit tree that grows all over Asia and also in Mexico (see photo of pods below). The fruit is removed from the pods and must be separated from the seeds in order to use it Tamarind pods can measure three to eight inches in length and can contain up to 12 seeds. Tamarind trees (Tamarindus indica) grow up to 100 feet tall and can live for over 200 years. The tree has a short trunk with strong, drooping branches and soft, airy leaves, making it highly wind-resistant. Part of the pea and bean family, it produces a pod-like fruit with pulp and seeds inside.  The tamarind tree is considered to be a traditional food plant in the African continent. For the Africans, this tree has a variety of uses-a food that has the potential to augment nutrition, enhance food security, promote rural development and also endorse sustainable land care. The tamarind is a fine-looking large tree with spreading branches that can grow up to a height of 25 meters (82 feet) and often survive for as many as 200 years. As the tree belongs to a tropical species, it is very sensitive to frost. Spice Description. Tamarind is from a curved brown bean-pod from the tamarind tree. The pod contains a sticky pulp enclosing one to ten shiny black seeds. It is the pulp that is used as a flavouring for its sweet, sour, fruity aroma and taste. Plant Description and Cultivation. The tamarind tree is a tropical evergreen which grows to a height of 20m (aprox 70ft). It has a thick grey bark; the small oval leaves are pale green. It is a popular Indian tree. Tamarind Tree belongs to the family of Fabaceae. Its scientific name is 'Tamarindus Indica'. The name of this tree was derived from the Persian word 'Tamar-e-Hind', which means 'Indian date'. Tamarind tree is known as a very charming tree and it is a member of the 'Leguminosae' family and 'Caesalpinieae' sub family.  Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) (from Arabic: تمر هندي ‎, romanized tamar hindi, Indian date) is a leguminous tree in the family Fabaceae indigenous to tropical Africa. The genus Tamarindus is a monotypic taxon, having only a single species. It is harvested by pulling the pod from its stalk. A mature tree may be capable of producing up to 175 kg (386 lb) of fruit per year. Veneer grafting, shield (T or inverted T) budding, and air layering may be used to propagate desirable selections. Botanical name: Tamarindus indica Deliciously tangy and one of the most highly prized natural foods in South Asia, the tamarind – the melodic name of which comes from the Persian tamar-I-hind, meaning date of India – is gaining recognition and appreciation throughout the world. 
http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/tamarindus-indica-tamarind http://thaifood.about.com/od/glossary/p/Tamarind-Paste-How-To-Buy-Make-And-Use-Tamarind-Substitutions.htm http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-tamarind-tree-56762.html http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_tamarind.htm http://theepicentre.com/spice/tamarind/ http://www.indianetzone.com/4/the_tamarind_tree.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarind http://foodfacts.mercola.com/tamarind.html
what is a tamarind plant