Terminalia catappa

Scientific name: Terminalia catappa L.

Family: Combretaceae

Synonym: Terminalia procera Roxb.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Kath badam, Bangla badam, Deshi badam.

Tribal name: Sai-pee-bawn (Rakhaing).

English name: Country almond, Indian almond, Tropical almond, Bengal almond.

Description of the plant: A medium to large deciduous tree, up to 25 m tall, branches whorled and spreading horizontally. Leaves obovate, sometimes elliptic-obovate, spirally arranged and crowded at the ends of the branches, apex rounded or  shortly acuminate, base narrow, cordate, margin entire, veins 6-9 pairs, widely spaced. Flowers small, white, in solitary, axillary, simple spike, male flowers on the upper part and few bisexual flowers towards the base. Fruit a drupe, ovoid to broadly ellipsoid, greenish-yellow or reddish, more or less laterally compressed, pericarp woody.

Plant parts used: Leaf.

Medicinal uses: Juice of young leaves is used to prepare an ointment for leprosy, scabies and other skin diseases; juice taken internally is useful in headache.

Distribution: It is commonly planted throughout the country as avenue and shade tree.