Terminalia catappa

Common Name: tropical almond

Family: Combretaceae

Common Synonyms: none

USDA Hardiness Zone: 10b-11

Growth Habit: Tree

Origin: Southeast Asia to Australia, Madagascar

FISC Category: 2

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: pre 1933

IFAS Assessment:

• North: OK
• Central: OK
• South: CAUTION

Description

Deciduous tree to 35 m tall (usually to 15 m in Florida), bases often buttressed. Branches conspicuously whorled and horizontally tiered, spreading to 10 m. Leaves simple, alternate, broadly ovate, clustered at branch tips, to 30 cm long and 12 cm wide, glossy, stiff, glabrous or with a few hairs below, turning vivid red prior to leaf fall (usually at least one red leaf present). Lateral veins prominent, in 6-9 pairs. Margins entire, bases slightly heart shaped to wedge shaped with 2 glands at base, tip rounded or with a small pinched tip, petiole to 1.5 cm. Inflorescence a slender, open, many-flowered spike, to 15 cm long, shorter than the leaves. Bisexual flowers on lower part of spike, male flowers above. Flowers tiny, greenish-white, petals lacking, 10-12 stamens, calyx lobes triangular, hairy below. Fruit a firm, fleshy, almond-like drupe, ellipsoid, with distinct rigid wings, reddish yellow to dark purple when mature, to 8 cm long and 5 cm wide, 1-2 seeded. Seeds edible, to 4 cm long, cylindrical, encased in a fibrous husk.

Habitat

Disturbed areas, plants are tolerant of saltwater and flooding

Comments

Flowers and fruits all year. Seeds dispersed by water and animals.

Control Methods

• Manual: Manual: hand pull seedlings.
• Chemical: Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A.
• Biological: NA

Control Notes

NA

References

Langeland, K.A., H.M. Cherry, C.M. McCormick, K.C. Burks. 2008. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas-Second Edition. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Langeland, K.A., J.A. Ferrell, B. Sellers, G.E. MacDonald, and R.K. Stocker. 2011. Integrated management of non-native plants in natural areas of Florida. EDIS publication SP 242. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.