Terminalia catappa L. Synonyms: Myrobalanus catappa (L.) Kuntze, Terminalia badamia DC. Family: Combretaceae Local names (Dhivehi): Gobu gas, Midhili gas, Madhu gas English names: Indian almond tree, Java almond, Pacific almond, Singapore almond Description: Trees, to 25 m high, often buttressed; bark brownish to grey; branches horizontal and whorled in young trees. Leaves simple, alternate, densely clustered at the tip of branchlets, 13-35%6-20 em, obovate, orbicular-obovate, base acute or attenuate, apex round or obtuse; lateral nerves 6-13 pairs; 2 glands prominent on either side at the base of the midrib beneath; petiole 8-15 mm long, Flowers polygamous, 4 mm across, sessile, white or yellowish-green, in axillary simple, pubescent racemes, 8-20 cm long. Calyx tube 3-5 x 1-1.3 mm, pubescent, expanded portion cupular; lobes 5. Petals 0. Stamens 10; filaments 3-4 mm long, Fruits a drupe, 3-7 x2.5-4.5 em, broadly ellipsoid to ovoid, brown or reddish-brown, glabrous, glossy. Flowering & fruiting: March - January Native range: Tropical Asia and the Pacific Distribution: Widely planted throughout the tropics Occurrence in Maldives: Planted in homesteads and also naturalised Uses: The wood is soft. The kernel of the fruit is edible and has aphrodisiac activity. The leaves, bark and fruits are used to treat dysentery, coughs, asthma, leprosy and headache. Leaves are effective against intestinal parasites and also used to treat eye problems, rheumatism and wounds. Juice of the leaves and bark are useful in scabies, skin diseases, leprosy, throat and mouth problems and diarrhea. peer |269