Terminalia catappa Seeds | Tropical Almond
LATIN NAME: Terminalia catappa
COMMON NAME: Tropical Almond
Plant Profile
Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, Tropical Almond (Terminalia catappa) stands out as a spreading, deciduous tree. Young plant grows into a multi-stemmed clump, to about twelve metres. It thrives in full sun and deep, free-draining ground. The ratio of effort to reward here is about as good as gardening gets.
Science & Biotechnology
Terminalia catappa sits in the Terminalia group, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Tropical almond has a genuine and distinguished place in both fruit and chemical research. Because it has been grown for so long, its garden habits are thoroughly documented.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Tropical Almond has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. Ecologically, tropical almond is a noble tree of warm coasts. Its great, spreading crown gives a deep shade, and its edible nuts feed birds, crabs and small animals, while it is a beloved presence along beaches, coasts and avenues of the tropics and the subtropics. For a grower, tropical almond is a rewarding and generous tree, and for a gardener in a warm, frost-free region it brings a great, spreading shade and a harvest of edible nuts. Once it has its roots down, it more or less looks after itself.
Terminalia includes haritaki, one of Ayurveda’s trinity of triphala fruits, a foundational digestive and detoxifying rasayana; the genus also gives fine timbers and the almond-like tropical beach nuts.
Growing from Seed
Tropical Almond is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray full sun. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.
Our Take
It forms a spreading, deciduous tree, which makes spacing and siting straightforward. Given full sun and free drainage, it asks for little routine attention.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Tropical Almond often pair it with these related subjects: