Philippine almond tree, Yellow terminalia tree
Terminalia calamansanai

Family: Combretaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows up to 40 m tall. The tree has plank like buttresses which extend 10 m up the trunk. The small branches are often grouped in rings and thickened where they branch. The young tips of branches are ridged. The leaves are crowded near the ends of twigs and leave scars after they fall off. The leaves are hard and stiff. The leaves are oval and 8.5-16 cm long and 4-8 cm wide. They taper towards the base. Flowers are yellowish green to brown and easily fall off. They are very small. The fruit is flattened and has very broad wings. The fruit is more broad than long. It is 2-5 cm wide and 1-2 cm long. The fruit is dry and does not burst open. The seeds are brownish yellow and covered with fine short hairs and two wings up to 4 cm wide and less than 1 cm long.

There are about 200-250 Terminalia species. They are tropical.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Occurs occasionally in most areas of the Philippines amongst trees near the sea. It grows in areas with a dry season and at low altitudes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The seeds are eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Fruit, seed, nut

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Malakalumpit, Pohon jelawai mentalun, Pohon ketapang kuning

Synonyms

Gimbernatea calamansanai Blanco; Gimbernatea calamansanay Blanco; Terminalia blancoi Merr.;