Sea almond.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Tropical tree

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 3 à 7 jours

Taille adulte

30 to 40 meters

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 10 à 12

Floraison

Spring to early summer

Entretien

This tree thrives in warm, humid environments with plenty of sun. Watch for yellowing leaves, which can indicate the soil is staying too wet or the tree is entering a natural dormancy phase. Ensure the soil drains well to keep the roots happy.

Arrosage

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Engrais

Use a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.

Taille

Trim back dead or crossing branches once a year to maintain shape.

Rempotage

Repot young trees annually until they reach a size that requires a permanent container or ground planting.

Sol

Sandy, well draining soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.5

Température

15 à 35°C

Humidité

60 à 90%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Moyenne

Durée de vie

Long lived, often over 50 years.

Parfum

Léger

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is not considered toxic, but the hard shells of the fruit can be a choking hazard.

Enfants

The large, woody fruit shells are hard and can pose a choking risk if left on the ground.

Allergènes de contact

The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allergènes aéroportés

Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in some people.

Comestibilité

The kernel inside the fruit is edible, but the fibrous husk is not meant for consumption.

Comment l'identifier

• Large, glossy, leathery obovate leaves
• Horizontal, tiered branching pattern
• Small, greenish white flower spikes
• Fibrous, almond shaped drupe fruits

Hauteur

15 à 25m

Envergure

10 à 20m

Feuilles

green, red, yellow, deciduous

Fleurs

white, greenish-white, 0,5 à 1cm

Fruits

green, red, brown, Year round in tropics

Problèmes courants

• Leaf spot — Fungal infections can cause dark spots on foliage during wet seasons.
• Aphids — Small insects that feed on sap and may cause leaf curling.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed, cuttings

Quand planter

Spring, Summer

Hivernage

Keep the tree in a warm, frost-free environment during winter. Reduce watering if the tree enters a semi-dormant phase.

En pot

It is suitable for containers only while in its juvenile stage, requiring a very large pot.

Plant this tree as a canopy layer to provide dappled shade for smaller tropical shrubs.

Bonnes associations

• Palmier cocotier — They share similar coastal environmental requirements.
• Chinese hibiscus — They thrive in the same warm, tropical conditions.

Espèces similaires

• Terminalia muelleri — It is a smaller relative with similar leaf structure.

Science

Famille

Combretaceae

Genre

Terminalia

Ordre

Myrtales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Tropical Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

Préservation

This tree is widely naturalized and not of conservation concern.

It is a pioneer species that thrives in sandy, coastal soils and disperses its seeds via ocean currents.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source, provides nesting sites

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons, papillons de nuit

Utilisations

ornamental shade tree, edible nuts, timber, medicinal bark

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it grows best in full, bright sunlight.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Only when young, as it eventually becomes a very large tree.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Terminalia refers to the leaves appearing at the very ends of the shoots. The species name catappa is derived from its Malay name.

Bon à savoir

• It is often called the Indian almond tree.
• The seeds are rich in oil and taste similar to almonds.
• It is highly salt tolerant and thrives near beaches.
• The leaves are used in aquariums to lower water pH.