Indian Almond is an exotic beauty with vibrant foliage, attractive fruit, and cultural significance. There are some secrets to nurturing this tropical tree, though.
The Indian Almond, in Latin Terminalia catappa, is a lush evergreen tree belonging to the White Mangrove family. The native habitat is the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, where, with warm and humid climates, the tree can reach 50-60 feet (15-18 meters) or even more. Its elongated, elliptical leaves that form a dense and vibrant canopy, typically around 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide, would be a cool garden piece.
As you can deduce from its common name, it has distinct, woody fruits with an almond shape, measuring approximately 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm). Those hard-shelled, edible almond kernels with green to reddish-brown husk, splitting open when fully ripe, are known for their nutritional value and potential health benefits.
