Terminalia catappa, otherwise known as Indian Almond, Tropical Almond Tree, or Java Almond, is a large tree up to 40 m in height that grows mainly in Asia, Africa, and Australia. It is deciduous with its trunk, can either be straight or twisted, often buttressed up to 3 m tall. The leaves are long, smooth, shiny, and turn red then fall off twice a year. Greenish-white flowers are in a spike at the end of branches. The edible fruits are fibrous, with a tender skin and a thin layer of subacid juicy flesh. They are green and turn red upon ripening. Various plant parts are used medicinally to treat dysentery, leprosy, coughs, jaundice, indigestion, headaches, colic, pain and numbness, fever, diarrhea, sores, skin diseases, diabetes, etc. The seeds can be either raw or cooked. It contains oil and are high in zinc content. The oil can be used in cooking and in making soap. The trunk is a source of gum and yellow and black dye. Likewise, fruits yield black dye. The wood, though susceptible to termite attacks, is moderately hard, moderately heavy, strong, and somewhat durable. It is used for cabinet work, construction, boat, bridges, floors, panelling, boxes and crates, and others. A fast growing species, T. catalpa is grown from seeds.
