Terminalia catappa

• Botanical Name : Terminalia catappa L.
• Common Name : Badam, Desi Badam, Lili Badam, Indian Almond
• Plant Family : Combretaceae
• Plant Form : Tree
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 1, 2, 22, 23, 27-29
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Van Chetana Kendra, Infocity, Basan

About Terminalia catappa Plant :

• Habit : A small tree with whorled, horizontal branches in successive tiers.
• Leaves : Alternate, 6-12 inch long, obovate, oblong, pointed at apex, base rounded with a depressed gland on each side of the midrib, exstipulate.
• Inflorescence : Axillary solitary spikes.
• Flowers :
  • Greenish-white, small, bracteoles minute, lanceolate.
  • The upper flowers male, the lower hermaphrodite.
  • Calyx-tube ovoid, teeth 4-5 triangular.
  • Petals 0.
  • Stamens 8-10, episepalous.
  • Ovary inferior, ovules pendulous, style awl-shaped, stigma simple.
• Fruit  : A fibrous drupe, oval or ellipsoid, compressed, with 2 elevated margins, convex on both sides.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : August - September
• Significance :
  • Planted in the gardens and can be used on road-sides as a shade-tree.
  • The fruit is edible.
  • The juice of the leaves is used in headaches and skin diseases.
  • The fruit is cooling astringent to bowels.