| Binomial |
Terminalia catappa L.
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| Family |
Combretaceae
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| Tamil Name |
Naatu Vaadhumai (நாட்டு வாதுமை)
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| Tree |
Fast-growing deciduous or semi-evergreen spreading trees with large, leathery, oval leaves which turn red before they fall. The tree has a distinctive shape, with its horizontal branches growing in wide spreading circles at different levels on the trunk. The trees are monoecious, with distinct male and female flowers on the same tree. Leaves turn red before they fall.
|
| Flowers |
Unisexual white to greenish, inconspicuous with no petals; they are produced on axillary or terminal spikes.
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| Fruits |
The fruit is a drupe, almond-shaped, green at first, then yellow and finally red when ripe, containing a single seed. The fibrous shell surrounds an edible nut.
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| Flowering Period |
February to May
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| Fruiting Period |
June to September
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| Pollinators |
Insects |
| Country of origin |
India
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| About the tree |
With large leaves that provide deep shade, T. catappa is widely grown in tropical regions of the world as an ornamental tree. Known as nattuvadumai in tamil, the almond-flavoured seeds of this tree are edible. On extraction, the bark and fruit yield a black dye that is used to make ink. The juice of the leaves is ingested for coughs. The highly water resistant wood has been used in Polynesia for making canoes. Having the ability to lower the pH and heavy-metal content of water, the leaves find their use in fish breeding as well as in aquariums.
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| Location on campus |
https://goo.gl/maps/5SZpcQJXvucr4RPh9
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