Terminalia catappa

Terminalia catappa

Family – Combretaceae

Common name – Indian Almond

Terminalia catappa, commonly known as the tropical almond or Indian almond, is a large tree that can grow up to 35 meters tall. It has an upright, symmetrical crown with horizontal branches. As the tree matures, the crown flattens, forming a spreading, vase-shaped canopy, and the branches are arranged in distinct tiers.

The leaves are large, ovoid, and glossy dark green, with a leathery texture. They are deciduous and turn pinkish-reddish or yellow-brown before falling. The tree is monoecious, meaning it has distinct male and female flowers on the same tree. The flowers are white to greenish, inconspicuous, and lack petals. They are produced on axillary or terminal spikes.

The fruit of the tree is a drupe, initially green, turning yellow and finally red when ripe. It contains a single seed. The fruit is corky and light, dispersed by water. While the fruit is edible, it has a slightly acidic taste. The seeds, though small and difficult to extract, are edible either raw or cooked, and are often referred to as a source of almonds.

Terminalia catappa is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree, valued for the deep shade its large leaves provide. The wood is red, solid, and has high water resistance, making it useful in construction and boat building. The leaves contain several flavonoids and tannins, which are utilized in various herbal medicines due to their medicinal properties. The tree is used in traditional remedies for a variety of conditions, benefiting from its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects.