Terminalia catappa
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Terminalia catappa Common Names: Tropical almond, Indian almond, sea
almond, beach almond, country almond Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Order: Myrtales Family: Combretaceae Genus: Terminalia Species: T. catappa Binomial Name: Terminalia catappa L. Synonyms: Terminalia latifolia Blanco, Terminalia moluccana Lam. Morphological Description Terminalia catappa, commonly known as tropical almond or Indian almond, is a large
deciduous tree typically growing to heights of 15–25 meters, though it can
reach up to 40 meters under ideal conditions (Kew Science, 2024). The trunk is
straight or slightly fluted, with a diameter of 1–1.5 meters, covered in
smooth, greyish-brown bark that becomes fissured with age. Its distinctive
tiered branching forms a pagoda-like canopy, often wider than tall, spreading
up to 20 meters across (Tropical Plants Database, 2024). Leaves are broad,
ovate to obovate, 15–30 cm long and 10–15 cm wide, glossy dark green above and
paler beneath, turning vibrant red, orange, or yellow before abscission in the
dry season. Flowers are small, greenish-white, 5–8 mm long, arranged in
axillary spikes up to 20 cm long, blooming from late spring to summer with a
subtle fragrance (Burkill, 2000). The fruit is an ellipsoid drupe, 3–7 cm long
and 2–5 cm wide, green when immature, ripening to reddish-brown or
purplish-black, with a fibrous, almond-flavored edible layer encasing a hard,
woody seed. Distribution and Habitat Terminalia catappa is native to Southeast Asia (e.g., Malaysia, Indonesia,
Philippines), northern Australia, and Pacific Islands (e.g., Papua New Guinea,
Solomon Islands), with its origins possibly linked to the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands (Kew Science, 2024). It has been widely introduced to tropical and
subtropical regions, including West Africa (e.g., Nigeria, Ghana), the
Caribbean (e.g., Jamaica, Trinidad), Central and South America (e.g., Brazil,
Panama), and parts of South Asia (e.g., India, Sri Lanka) (CABI, 2024). The
tree thrives in coastal environments, stabilizing shorelines and preventing
erosion, and is commonly found in sandy, loamy, or saline soils with a pH of
5.5–8.0, often near beaches, mangroves, and estuaries (Tropical Plants
Database, 2024). It prefers full sun, tolerates salt spray and moderate
drought, and grows in climates with annual rainfall of 1,000–3,000 mm and
temperatures of 20–35°C, at elevations from sea level to 300 meters, though it
adapts to inland areas with adequate moisture. Ethnopharmacology Terminalia catappa is a key species in traditional medicine across its native
and introduced ranges, valued for its bioactive compounds, including flavonoids
(e.g., quercetin, kaempferol), tannins (e.g., punicalagin), phenolic acids
(e.g., ellagic acid), and saponins (Anand et al., 2015). Below are key
ethnopharmacological uses supported by research: · Anti-inflammatory Effects: In India, leaf decoctions treat inflammation
and skin conditions. · Antimicrobial Properties: In Nigeria, bark infusions combat
infections; ethanolic leaf extracts showed an MIC of 125 μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, supporting its use for wound healing (Mwangi
et al., 2024). · Antioxidant Activity: In the Philippines, leaf extracts are used
as a tonic; aqueous extracts exhibited DPPH scavenging with an IC50 of 13.04
μg/mL and high ferric reducing power, due to phenolic content (Mwangi et al.,
2024). · Antidiabetic Potential: In Thailand, fruit extracts manage
diabetes; ethanolic leaf extracts (300–500 mg/kg) lowered blood glucose by
40–50% in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, enhancing insulin secretion
(Divya et al., 2018). · Hepatoprotective Effects: In Bangladesh, leaves treat liver
ailments; aqueous extracts (500 mg/kg) reduced liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST)
by 60% in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxic rats, linked to gallic acid
(Anand et al., 2015). · Antidiarrheal and Dysentery Relief: In Madagascar, bark decoctions address
dysentery. These applications are
supported by over 50 identified compounds, reinforcing its broad medicinal
utility (Anand et al., 2015). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Terminalia catappa is generally non-toxic for culinary and
medicinal use, with no significant adverse effects reported at typical doses.
Acute toxicity studies in rats showed no mortality at 5,000 mg/kg of leaf
extract, with only mild gastrointestinal upset at high doses (Anand et al.,
2015). However, sawdust from its wood, containing silica and phenolic
compounds, can cause skin irritation or respiratory discomfort if inhaled
during processing, necessitating protective measures (Tropical Plants Database,
2024). Additional Uses · Ornamental and Ecological Value: Its pagoda-like canopy and colorful
foliage make it a prized ornamental in parks and coastal landscapes, while its
roots stabilize shorelines and fruits support wildlife like birds and bats · Timber: The reddish-brown wood, with a density of 600–700 kg/m³, is
durable and water-resistant, used for furniture, carvings, and small
construction projects (Burkill, 2000). References
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