PLANT NAME : Terminalia catappa (Almond tree)
PLANTED BY : Shri. Kaushal Singh
DATE : 22-12-2024
TIME : 12:22 PM
PLANT DESCRIPTION
The almond tree, Prunus dulcis, is a deciduous tree in the family Rosaceae that is grown for its edible seeds (nuts). The tree has brown or gray bark and either an erect or weeping growth habit, depending on the variety. The trunk can reach 30 cm (12 in) in diameter.
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 | Each leaf is reverse-egg-shaped, 8–38 cm long by 5–19 cm wide, with 6–12 pairs of veins arising from the main vein of the leaf, and a pair of glands at the base of the leaf. |
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 a coastal plant, which can tolerate hot sun, dry and high wind conditions. 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, Roadside Tree / Palm, 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 |
FOLIAR
Foliage Retention | Drought / Semi-Deciduous |
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Papery, Leathery, Thin |
FLORAL (ANGIOSPERM)
Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual & Bisexual Flowers(Sub-dioecious) |
Flower Colour(s) | White, Cream / Off-White |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
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