PLANT INFO
PLANT NAME : Terminalia catappa (Almond tree)
PLANTED BY : Shri. Kamal Sheel
(IOCL : CGM - Inst.Buss) - TAPSO
LOCATION : Chalivendram Boundary
DATE : 07-11-2024
TIME : 12 : 40 PM
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Tiered |
| Maximum Height | 35 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 20 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | From tropical Asia to North Australia and Polynesia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Coastal Forest), Shoreline (Mangrove Forest, Sandy Beach, Rocky Beach) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a pagoda-shaped tree that can grow up to 35 m, and will shed its leaves twice a year. Its leaves are clustered at the end of the twigs. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | The trunk is often buttressed, with grey bark that is slightly fissured. |
| Foliage | It has spiral, stalked leaves that are papery to thinly leathery, dark green above, yellowish green below, and will turn red before falling. |
| Flowers | The flowers are fragrant, white to whitish green, small, 0.5 cm across, and occur on numerous-flowered, 8–16 cm long flower shoots that are inserted at the leaf axils. |
| Fruit | It produces fruits with a stony core that are green when unripe, yellow or red when ripe, flattened-egg-shaped, 3.5–7 wide long by 2–5.5 cm wide. 2 narrow wings, up to 3 mm wide, can be found along the side of the fruit. Each fruit contains 1 seed. |
| Associated Fauna | The fruits are attractive to bats which also help with seed dispersal. |
| Etymology | Terminalia, in Latin, refers to the plant’s leaves that are clustered at the end of end of the twigs, The name catappa is derived from its Malay name, ketapang. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable as a roadside tree, as it is coastal plant, which can tolerate hot sun, dry and high wind condition. It is attractive as its plant shape is similar to a pagoda, and its leaves will turn red before falling. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, Suitable for Roadsides, General, Parks & Gardens, Beachfront / Shoreline |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bat Food |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna), Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
USES
The Terminalia catappa, also known as the Indian almond or tropical almond tree, has many uses, including:
- The leaves and bark of the tree are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including hepatitis, oral infections, and intestinal issues. The tree has many medicinal properties, including being antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective
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