Terminalia catappa L.
| Kannada Name : | Kaadubaadaami |
| Common Name : | Indian almond |
| Family Name : | Combretaceae |
| Scientific Name : | Terminalia catappa |
| Species Type : | Exotic |
| Phenology : | Deciduous |
| Conservation Status : | Least concern |
| Flowering Period : | March - June |
| Fruiting Period : | July - September |
| Origin : | Asia, Australia |
Uses
The red leaves act as a vermifuge, while the sap of young leaves, cooked with oil from the kernel, is used to treat leprosy. The juice of the leaves is ingested for coughs. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat jaundice. Externally, the leaves may be rubbed on breasts to cure pain or, when heated, may be applied to numb parts of the body. They may be used as a dressing for swollen rheumatic joints. The leaves, applied to the head and sides, are refreshing and sudorific
Description
Deciduous or semievergreen trees up to 20 m tall. Bark brownish black, longitudinally peeling. Branches spreading, forming tiers. Branchlets densely brownish yellow tomentose near apex, densely covered with conspicuous leaf scars. Leaves alternate, crowded at apices of branchlets; leaf blade obovate to oblanceolate, narrowed in proximal half, both surfaces glabrous or abaxially sparsely softly hairy when young, base narrow, cordate or truncate, apex obtuse or mucronate, margin entire. Inflorescences axillary, simple, long, slender spikes. Flowers bisexual, fragrant, white to greenish. Fruit a drupe, red or blackish green when ripe, ellipsoid, slightly to strongly compressed, pericarp woody, rigid.
