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Useful Tropical Plants
Terminalia catappa is a fast-growing deciduous or semi-evergreen tree, usually growing about 15 metres tall with specimens up to 40 metres recorded[324 , 451 , 658 ]. The canopy has a pagoda-like habit when young, but this becomes less noticeable as the tree ages and the branches elongate and droop at the tips[303 ]. The bole can be straight or twisted, it is generally set with short woody spines, can be 100 - 150cm in diameter and is often buttressed at the base with buttresses up to 3 metres high[303 , 407 , 658 ]. An important, multi-purpose tree, providing food, medicines and a host of other commodities. This is one of the most common trees of many tropical coasts[307 ]. It is widely cultivated in the tropics, as a shade tree, for ornament and for its edible seeds[63 , 317 ]. It is often planted in avenues as a shade-tree, for which it is suitable because of its very regular shape[451 ]. The seeds are sold in local markets and are considered to have a significant commercial potential to a wider market[1817 ]