Terminalia catappa

Abstract

Indian almond-wood, bastard almond, Andaman badam ECOLOGY A conspicuous semi-deciduous tree of coastal areas throughout the warm tropics. Grows best in moist tropical climates. The tree is well adapted to sandy and rocky coasts and flourishes on oolitic limestone. The species loses its leaves twice a year in most areas, with a brilliant red-and-yellow display of leaf colour before doing so. Leaf loss helps it tolerate 1 or 2 annual dry seasons when it occurs. Although Indian almond does grow when planted on uplands, the natural habitat of the species is in areas just inland from ocean beaches, near river mouths, and on coastal plains. These areas are typically flat, but they may have dunes or rocky bluffs. BIOPHYSICAL LIMITS Altitude: 0-800 m, Mean annual temperature: 15-35 deg. C, Mean annual rainfall: 750-3 000 mm Soil type: Oolitic limestone. The species grows in greatest concentration on sands and loamy sands. Also found on silts, loam, and clays. Soil pH is usually neutral to moderately alkaline and rich in bases. However it will also grow in strongly acid soils. Good drainage is required on clay soils. DOCUMENTED SPECIES DISTRIBUTION The map above shows countries where the species has been planted. It does neither suggest that the species can be planted in every ecological zone within that country, nor that the species can not be planted in other countries than those depicted. Since some tree species are invasive, you need to follow biosafety procedures that apply to your planting site. Exotic range