Terminalia Catappa - Katapenbaum

The Terminalia Catappa, also known as a catapple tree or tropical almond, is at home in the tropical regions of Asia, Australia and the Pacific. This plant is not only characterized by its aesthetic beauty, but also by its diverse ecological, economic and medical properties.

Taxonomy and description

The Terminalia Catappa belongs to the Combretaceae family and is closely related to other well -known plants such as the Myrobalan (Terminalia Chebula). It is a half -green tree that can reach an impressive height of up to 30 meters. The leaves are large, elliptical and from a deep, shiny green. They have striking, parallel veins and are able to change their color from green to bright red over the course of the year before falling to the ground.

Distribution and habitat

The Terminalia Catappa is widespread in large parts of the tropical world. It thrives well in moist, subtropical and tropical climates and can be found in countries such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. It can be found particularly on coastal areas, where it often grows on beaches and is referred to as the "beach album".

Flower and fruit

The flowers of the Terminalia Catappa are small and inconspicuous, mostly greenish and white. The trees are usually one -house, which means that they wear male and female flowers separately on different trees. The fruits are ellipsoid, about 4-6 cm long, greenish to brown and have a rough surface. They contain a single seed that is surrounded by a hard shell.

Ecological meaning

The Terminalia Catappa plays an important role in the ecology of its habitats. Their leaves serve as a source of food for various types of insects and also serve as a breeding site for butterfly caterpillars. The fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals, which contributes to the spread of the plant.

Economic importance

The Terminalia Catappa also has economic importance. Your seeds are used as food in some regions, and the wood of the tree is used for various purposes such as furniture production and boat construction. In addition, extracts from leaves in traditional medicine are estimated because of their potentially healing properties.

Medical use

In traditional medicine, extracts from the leaves of the Terminalia Catappa are used to treat various diseases. They are often praised for their anti -inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Studies have shown that they can potentially useful in the treatment of diabetes, high blood pressure and gastrointestinal diseases.