Kodukkapuli (Pithecellobium dulce)

Kodukkapuli, jungle jalebi in Hindi, is Manila tamarind, a thorny tree from Mexico and Central America planted across India as a hedge and avenue tree. Its coiled pods split to show black seeds wrapped in a sweet, white or pink, slightly astringent flesh that children love. It is not tamarind. The nickname Madras thorn comes from its long history of planting in South India.

Botanical name: Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.
Family: Fabaceae
Tamil: Kodukkapuli
Hindi: Jungle jalebi
Sanskrit: Vilayati imli
Parts used: Aril
Habit: Thorny introduced tree with coiled pods and a sweet aril
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Kodukkapuli

It is a spiny, spreading tree, often five to fifteen metres, with paired sharp spines at the leaf bases.

Each leaf has two short stalks, each bearing one pair of oval leaflets, so the leaf looks like two pairs of ears.

Small, whitish, powder-puff flower heads grow in clusters.

The pods are coiled, pinkish-green to reddish, and split along the edges when ripe.

The seeds are glossy black, half covered by a fleshy white or pink aril.

Traditional use of Kodukkapuli

Kitchen

The aril is eaten fresh as a snack, and sold in bundles at markets and school gates.

Indian food practice

Farming

It is planted as a thorny hedge around fields and as fodder, since goats eat the leaves and pods.

Indian farm practice

Modern notes on Kodukkapuli

The aril is sweet with sugars and supplies vitamin C and some protein.

It fixes nitrogen and tolerates drought, salt and poor soil.

It has become invasive in parts of Hawaii, Florida and the Pacific.

Kodukkapuli safety

Eat only the aril, not the seeds. The thorns cause painful wounds.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to Mexico, Central America and northern South America.

Birds and bats eat the arils and spread the seeds.

Bees visit its fragrant flowers.

Related plants

Also in Fabaceae

Questions about Kodukkapuli

Is Kodukkapuli tamarind?

No. Tamarind is Tamarindus indica.

Which part is eaten?

The sweet aril around the seeds.

Why is Kodukkapuli called jungle jalebi?

Its coiled pods look like jalebis.

Is Kodukkapuli native to India?

No. It comes from tropical America.

Are the seeds of Kodukkapuli edible?

No. Spit them out.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.