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Terminalia catappa

L. (1767)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Myrtales Family: Combretaceae Genus: Terminalia

false kamani, indian almond, tropical almond

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Trees 8–25 m tall; branches conspicuously whorled.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate, in pseudowhorls, crowded toward the ends of the branches. Blades broadly obovate, (10–)20–43 cm long, (6–)12–21 cm wide. Apex acuminate to emarginate. Surfaces brown puberulent, at least when young, dark green. Margins entire. Petioles 1–2 cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in 1 to several spikes at the tips of the branches, each spike 10–25 cm long, perfect flowers only at base of spike, staminate flowers apparently on slender pedicels 1.5–2.5 mm long, but actually the receptacle with an aborted ovary. Flowers bisexual (perfect) and unisexual (the plants polygamodioecious). Hypanthium of bisexual (perfect) flowers narrowed just above ovary. Calyx (4)5-lobed; perfect flowers with calyx tube distinctly narrowed above ovary, calyx teeth 1–1.5 mm long. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 10, exserted. Ovary inferior, terete (cylindrical), straight to slightly curved; style ± straight, free from hypanthium, pistillode absent in staminate flowers; ovules 2 or 3.

Fruit: Fruit green; sometimes tinged red; ellipsoid; somewhat compressed; 2–6 cm long; 2–3 cm wide; narrowly winged along lateral margins; mesocarp firm to leathery; fibrous. Seeds 1 per fruit.

Ploidy: 2n = 24

Habitat: Naturalized in coastal areas.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Potentially naturalizing
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Kamole(Laysan Island) Potentially naturalizing
Lana'i Potentially naturalizing
Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) Only found in cultivation
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Other Animals

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Mant. Pl.: 128 (1767)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:547 (K, O, M, H); Oppenheimer 2003:9 (Mo); Staples & Herbst 2005:243 (KEY), 244 (DESCR); Oppenheimer 2008:26 (L)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Terminalia catappa Kaleakua Bay rocks by picnic ground Preserved_Specimen tree ~10 m with smooth grey trunk and dichotomous branching. Leaves coriaceous, glossy deep green above, brown when young. Flower spikes spreading. Flowers cream. Sykes, W.R. 29891 Hawaii BISH 1991-06-01
2 Terminalia catappa Waihee Wetland, Kamehameha Hwy. O'ahu, Hawaii Growing up on sand dune in between the wetland and the ocean. Preserved_Specimen Tree, rosette arranged leaves, with prominent yellow veins, short petioles, spike inflorescence, small white flowers. Crago, L.M. 2005084 Oahu BISH 2005-03-01
3 Terminalia catappa Honolulu, Thomas Square full sun Preserved_Specimen spreading tree of 8'. Scaly bark. Flowers white; mildly fragrant (morning) Lau, J. 1596 Oahu BISH 1985-11-05
4 Terminalia catappa East Maui, Hana District, Kauiki, E side of Hana Bay, Red Sand Beach Dominated by Casuarina planted in late 1930s but with numerous other alien species (Terminalia, Syzygium, Ardisia) Preserved_Specimen Tree of 18'. Flower five lobed, white within, pale green without, slightly fragrant Flynn, T.W. 2502 Maui BISH 1987-10-21
5 Terminalia catappa 2 miles N of Heeia top of beach Preserved_Specimen small trees St.John, H. 10135 Oahu BISH 1929-12-29
6 Terminalia catappa Haleiwa, Officers' Club near beach Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 28192 Oahu BISH 1956-08-22
7 Terminalia catappa Mokolii Half dozen large trees mainly near the coast. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 5041966 Oahu BISH 2005-04-19
8 Terminalia catappa Anini Beach road, 0.3 mile from its' junction with Kalihiwai road mixed with hau Preserved_Specimen Leaves clustered at branch tips Flynn, T.W. 1666 Kauai BISH 1986-04-23
9 Terminalia catappa 2 miles N of Heeia top of beach Preserved_Specimen small trees St.John, H. 10135 Oahu BISH 1929-12-29
10 Terminalia catappa Puna, Kapoho roadside, aliens and Wikstroemia Preserved_Specimen 20' tree; fruit green Cuddihy, L.W. 2079 Hawaii BISH 1987-09-20
11 Terminalia catappa Tern Islet around living quarters Preserved_Specimen young trees about 4 ft tall Herbst, D.R. 1214 French Frigate Shoals BISH 1968-08-31
12 Terminalia catappa Haena, Ka Ulu a Paka Just above ocean on rocky coast Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 57446 Kauai BISH 1978-03-31
13 Terminalia catappa Puuhonua o Hanaunau National Historical Park Predominately exotic vegetation in an area highly modified by ancient Polynesians Preserved_Specimen Tree 4 m tall Higashino, P.K. 10222 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-07
14 Terminalia catappa Ka Ulu a Paka, Haena forest just above ocean, rocky coast Preserved_Specimen spreading tree 8-10 m, endocarps from ground underneath Fosberg, F.R. 57446 Oahu BISH 1978-03-31
15 Terminalia catappa Baldwin Park, Kahalui beach Preserved_Specimen tree 30', 10 diam. Little Jr., E.L. 31144 Maui BISH 1976-08-27
16 Terminalia catappa Kaleakua Bay. (Kealakekua?) Among rocks by picnic ground. Preserved_Specimen tree ca. 10m ht with smooth grey trunk and dichotomous branching; lvs coriaceous, glossy deep green above, brown when young; flower spikes spreading; flowers cream. Sykes, W.R. 29891 Hawaii BISH 1991-06-01
17 Terminalia catappa Puna, near Kapoho roadside, growing with other alien plants and Wikstroemia Preserved_Specimen tree 20'. Fruit green Cuddihy, L.W. 2079 Hawaii BISH 1987-09-20
18 Terminalia catappa Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park costal and inland trail; predominantly exotic vegetation. Area highly modified by ancient Polynesians Preserved_Specimen Tree 4 m tall Higashino, P.K. 10222 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-07
19 Terminalia catappa Hauula near coast Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 1564 Oahu BISH 1923-07-10
20 Terminalia catappa Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/28/2004
21 Terminalia catappa Keomuku Road, Halepalaoa Landing to Kahea Preserved_Specimen Trees. Oppenheimer, H.L. 30717 Lanai BISH 2007-03-21
22 Terminalia catappa Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 9/20/2004
23 Terminalia catappa UH-Manoa campus, back of Bilger Hall Preserved_Specimen Cultivated tree Herbst, D.R. 528 Oahu BISH 1967-08-12
24 Terminalia catappa Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 9/20/2004
25 Terminalia catappa U.H.campus, Honolulu, # 69 on map Preserved_Specimen Horizontal, wide-spreading, tiered branches; glossy coriaceous leaves, turning red when dropping; whitish flowers Herbst, D.R. 528 Oahu BISH 1967-08-12
26 Terminalia catappa Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 7/12/2002
27 Terminalia catappa Nahiku, Alii Gardens Preserved_Specimen Gagné, B.H. 3040 Maui BISH 1991-01-24
28 Terminalia catappa U.H.campus, Honolulu, # 69 on map Preserved_Specimen Horizontal, wide-spreading, tiered branches; glossy coriaceous leaves, turning red when dropping; whitish flowers Herbst, D.R. 528 Oahu BISH 1967-08-12
29 Terminalia catappa Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 2/20/2011
30 Terminalia catappa Haena, along the road Preserved_Specimen tree 40', old leaves turning red, flowers minute Stone, B.C. 754 Kauai BISH 1955-06-17
31 Terminalia catappa Honolulu, 622 Judd St., his residence Preserved_Specimen yellow fruit Judd Jr., A.F. Oahu BISH 1930-11-12
32 Terminalia catappa U.H.campus, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3609 Oahu BISH 1929-03-23
33 Terminalia catappa Hilo Preserved_Specimen MacDaniels, L.H. 342 Hawaii BISH 1926-11-25
34 Terminalia catappa Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 7/12/2002
35 Terminalia catappa Kalaupapa; airport, 100 m N of oceanview pavillion on coast Preserved_Specimen large trees Wysong, M.L. 760 Molokai BISH 2005-08-09
36 Terminalia catappa Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 3/6/2008
37 Terminalia catappa Found on E Beach (Long Beach) Preserved_Specimen Kepler, A.K. Laysan Island BISH 1992-02-19
38 Terminalia catappa Hauula Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. 699 Oahu BISH 1929-04-14
39 Terminalia catappa NW area, Camp Beach Preserved_Specimen Kepler, A.K. Laysan Island BISH 1992-02-22
40 Terminalia catappa Kawela Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 110145 Molokai BISH 2001-11-18
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