Tara Plant: How to Grow, Care For, and Use It
Understand the botanical features and economic importance of *Caesalpinia spinosa*, the Tara plant, and learn the practical requirements for its cultivation.
The Tara plant, native to South America, is most commonly known by its scientific name, Caesalpinia spinosa. This hardy plant has a wide range of applications, from industrial processes to food production and traditional medicine. While several plants might be colloquially referred to as “Tara,” this article will focus specifically on C. spinosa.
Identifying the Tara Plant
Caesalpinia spinosa is a small tree or large, thorny shrub that grows between 6 and 16 feet tall. Native to the Andean regions of South America, particularly Peru, it is well-adapted to arid, high-altitude environments. Its branches are often covered in sharp prickles, and its bark is a distinctive dark gray color.
The foliage of the Tara plant consists of feathery, fern-like leaves that are bipinnately compound. These evergreen leaves are arranged alternately along the stems and can reach about 4 inches in length. Each leaf is made up of smaller, elliptical leaflets, giving the plant a delicate and textured look despite its thorny nature.
From its terminal racemes, the plant produces clusters of flowers that range in color from yellow to orange. Following the flowering stage, the plant develops its characteristic seed pods. These pods are flattened, measure between 2.5 and 4 inches long, and turn a reddish color as they mature. It is within these pods that the plant’s commercially valuable seeds and tannins are found.
Uses and Commercial Importance
The Tara plant is commercially important due to the high concentration of tannins in its pods. Making up around 50% of the pod’s composition, these tannins are used in the leather industry. They produce light-colored leathers with light and heat fastness, suitable for automotive and furniture upholstery.
Caesalpinia spinosa is a source for the food additive Tara gum. Extracted from the endosperm of the plant’s seeds, this gum is a thickener and stabilizer in food products. Recognized in the European Union with the E number E417, it is used to improve the texture of items like ice cream.
The plant also has a history in traditional medicine. Infusions from the pods have been used to address ailments like inflamed tonsils, fevers, and stomach aches. As a leguminous plant, C. spinosa fixes nitrogen, which improves soil fertility for reforestation and restoring degraded lands.
Growing the Tara Plant
Cultivating the Tara plant is successful in warm climates, like subtropical or Mediterranean regions, and it is hardy in USDA zones 9 and above. The plant requires full sun exposure to thrive. Its natural habitat in arid mountain regions has made it well-suited to sunny and dry conditions.
The plant is not demanding about soil type and can grow in sandy, loamy, or clay soils, provided they are well-draining. It tolerates a range of soil pH levels, from neutral to alkaline. Once established, the plant is drought-tolerant and requires infrequent watering.
Propagation of Caesalpinia spinosa is done from seed. The seeds have a hard outer coat that requires scarification. This can be achieved by pouring just-boiled water over the seeds and then soaking them overnight in lukewarm water. Plant the swollen seeds about a quarter-inch deep; they require warm temperatures of at least 75°F to germinate.
Other Plants Known as Tara
While Caesalpinia spinosa is the plant commercially and botanically recognized as Tara, the name is sometimes used for other, unrelated species. For instance, the ginger lily Hedychium coccineum has a popular cultivar named ‘Tara’, known for its large, fragrant orange flowers.
This naming overlap can create confusion. It is important to distinguish between these ornamental varieties and the economically significant Caesalpinia spinosa, as other plants called “Tara” do not share its uses or characteristics, like the production of tannins or food-grade gum.