Tropical Almond
Terminalia catappa
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., China, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Comoros, Fiji, Guam, Hainan, India, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marianas, Marshall Is., Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niue, Ogasawara-shoto, Palau, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Is., South China Sea, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis-Futuna Is.
John Robert McPherson
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Combretaceae
- Genus:
- Terminalia
- Species:
- Terminalia catappa
- USDA Symbol:
- TECA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bats, crabs
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal areas, tolerates saline conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Fresh seeds germinate readily without pretreatment. Removing the fibrous husk can speed germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Fruits are collected and soaked in water overnight to soften the outer skin. The outer skin is then removed, exposing the fibrous endocarp. The shell is lightly tapped with a mallet or hammer to hasten germination. Seeds can also be soaked in hand-hot water (120-135 degrees F) for up to 72 hours to overcome dormancy. Non-viable seeds can be discarded after soaking as they tend to float, while viable seeds sink.
Establishment: The plant is native to tropical coastal areas and is sensitive to high doses of fertilizer. Seeds should be collected when they are mature and ripe for optimum germination. It is not advisable to pick from the tree, as undropped seeds may not be mature yet.
Source: npn.rngr.net