BOOK NAME :COMMON TREES OF INDIA

BY : PIPPA MUKHERJEE

BADAM
Combretaceae Terminalia catappa

Otherwise known as the Indian almond, Malabar almond or Bengal almond. Its Indian names are Deshi
badam in Hindi, Bangla badam in Bengali, Badamuchetti in Tamil.

WHERE IT GROWS: This tree originally came from the islands off the coast of Malaysia and the sandy
coast of Malaysia itself, but is now widely grown in India. It likes a sandy soil and tropical climate. It can
grow well close to the sea.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: It is a fairly fast growing, tall, semi-deciduous tree, with smooth grey bark. It is
easy to recognize as the branches grow in layers almost at right angles to the trunk and start fairly high
up. The tree requires quite a lot of space, as its branches spread a long way outwards. You should not
confuse this tree with the true almond which is a member of the rose family.

LEAVES: The large leaves are rough and leathery. Once or twice a year they turn bright red and fall. The
new leaves that grow are a bright green but darken quickly when older. They are often eaten when
young by beetles and grasshoppers and so the young trees have to be looked after carefully.

FLOWERS: Small greenish-white flowers which grow in spikes at the end of the smaller stems or
branchlets. They usually appear in March and April and again in July and August.

FRUIT: The oval nut cases contain a nut somewhat similar in taste to an almond.

USES: In Malaysia this tree is often planted around monasteries and in gardens. In India it is also grown
for its beauty. If the nut is crushed, it produces an oil very similar to almond oil. The nuts are also
considered to be good food for pigs. The wood from this tree is used for house building. The tasar silk
worms who weave their cocoons of silk thread from which is then woven tasar silk love to eat the leaves
of the Badam. The trees are therefore often planted near silk farms to feed the caterpillars.
BOOK NAME : 100 BEAUTIFUL TREES OF INDIA
BY: CHARLES MCCANN
INFORMATION FROM NURSEY LIVE
https://nurserylive.com/en/plants/plants-by-type/fruit-plants/badam-indian-almond-terminalia-
catappa-plants-in-india.

Badam, Indian Almond, Terminalia Catappa – Plant

Terminalia catappa also known as Sea almond or Indian almond which is perennial evergreen or
dry deciduous, edible fruit and nut.

About Badam:
The Indian Almond Tree (Terminalia catappa) also called Sea Almond or Tropical Almond
belongs to the untrue mangroves and is very well known because of its leaves for the use in
aquariums. It grows upright and forms a symmetrical crown with horizontal branches
distinctively arranged in tiers.
As the tree ages, the crown will become increasingly flattened and eventually take on a vase
shape.

Plant Specifications:

Plant Height 19 inch (48 cm)

Plant Spread 5 inch (13 cm)

*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%

Common Name Badam, Indian Almond

Maximum Reachable Height 30-40 ft

Flower Colour White to pale green

Bloom Time February to may

Difficulty Level Moderately

Planting And Care:

Dig out an area for the tree that is about 3 or 4 times the diameter of the container or rootball
and the same depth as the container or rootball.

Use a pitchfork or shovel to scarify the sides of the hole.

If container-grown, lay the tree on its side and remove the container. Loosen the roots around
the edges without breaking up the root ball too much.

Position tree in center of hole so that the best side faces forward. You are ready to begin
filling in with soil.

If planting a balled and burlaped tree, position it in hole so that the best side faces forward.

Untie or remove nails from burlap at top of ball and pull burlap back, so it does not stick out
of hole when soil is replaced.

Create a water ring around the outer edge of the hole.

Not only will this conseve water, but will direct moisture to perimeter roots, encouraging
outer growth.

Once tree is established, water ring may be leveled.

Studies show that mulched trees grow faster than those unmulched, so add a 3 inch layer of
pinestraw, compost, or pulverized bark over backfilled area.
 Remove any damaged limbs.

Badam Care:
Plants are almost completely made up of water so it is important to supply them with adequate
water to maintain good plant health. Too much water frequently deprives oxygen leading to plant
diseases such as root and stem rots.

Sunlight Full Sun

Watering Water regularly; do not overwater

Soil Sandy, well-drained soil

Temperature Hardy up to 4 degree C

Young plants need extra phosphorus to encourage good root development. Look
Fertilizer
for a fertilizer that has phosphorus.Trees need to be fertilized every few years.

Badam Uses:
Ornamental Use:

• The Almond tree provides deep shade and has become a beloved ornamental tree in
tropical gardens, parks and along streets

Medicinal Use:

• Leaf extract exhibited potent anti-diabetic effects and suppress bone weight loss in
ovariectomized mice
• Ethanol leaf extracts displayed analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities

Culinary Use:

• The fruit and seed are edible

• Oil extracted from the dried nuts is edible and used in cooking in parts of South America
• Indian almond leaves contain several different flavonoids, including kaempferol and
quercetin
• It is also rich in various tannins
• It is astringent and bitter.