Bucida buceras, Terminalia buceras

This tree is a widely used tree in South Florida. It is claimed to be native to the upper Florida Keys, but that is disputed. Very dense, full, oval to rounded crown with age. Sometimes the top of the crown will flatten with age, and the tree grows horizontally. Does best in rich, moist, well-drained soil - although can be grown in almost any type soil. Flowers are small, off-white, odd smelling when in bloom - very attractive to bees, produced in four-inch-long spikes during spring and summer. It does not produce edible olives, only small, hard, seed capsules. Florida Black Olive makes a wonderful and very large shade tree. Attractive to birds for nesting and cover, shade and specimen tree - give plenty of room to grow. Does well in sea-side locations, heavy branches very wind tolerant.

Bucida spinosa, Bucida molinetti, Terminalia spinosa

Exotic rare small tree that is valuable as unusual bonsai subject or specimen plant. This delicate tree grows into a bonsai almost by itself. Can be used as a potted indoor tree. It is very salt tolerant, making it a good choice for bonsai lovers by the sea. Bonsai shapes that are awesome. They have small leaves and thorns and and grow out erratically in all directions, forming diamond-like lace. The tree produces a small, black seed-capsule. In natural habitat, Black olive can grow as 40 ft tall evergreen tree with a smooth trunk holding up strong, wind-resistant branches, forming a pyramidal shape when young but developing a very dense, full, oval to rounded crown with age. Sometimes the top of the crown will flatten with age, and the tree grows horizontally. The lush, dark bluish-green, leathery leaves are two to four inches long and clustered at branch tips, sometimes mixed with the 0.5 to 1.5-inch-long spines found along the branches. The plant likes to be well-watered and frequent fertilization, which promotes vigorous growth. Pest problems seem rare. It may throw some leaves during stress (like shipping or cool weather), but will recover easily.

Terminalia bentzoe, Terminalia angustifolia

Terminalia calamansanai

The seeds are eaten raw or cooked.

Terminalia catappa

It is a large deciduous stately tree, growing up to 90 feet tall with horizontal whorls of branches offering clusters of foot long, obovate leaves that turn pink-red to red - yellow before falling. It thrives as an ornamental tree in many tropical cities in the world. The greenish - white female - and male flowers are on the same tree; these flowers are inconspicuous and not very showy. It has large (2 - 3 inches) nutty fruits that taste very much like commercially grown almonds. The color of the oval fruit is green, yellow or reddish. In Taiwan the fallen leaves of tropical almond are used as a herbal drug in the treatment of liver related diseases. The leaves contain agents for chemo-prevention of cancer and probably have anticarciogenic potential. The kernel of Indian almond has shown aphrodisiac activity; it can probally be used in treatment of some forms of sexual inadequacies (premature ejaculation). Ethanol extract of the leaves shown potential in the treatment of sickle cell disorders. Tropical almond has antibacterial properties. It is used by breeders of tropical aquarium fishes to keep them healthy. In Suriname's traditional medicine, a tea from the leaves is used against dysentery and diarrhea. Has salt and drought tolerance. As is the case with many tropical trees, tropical almond can be grown in a container where its size can be controlled for many years.

Terminalia foetidissima

Terminalia ivorensis

One of the principle timbers of west Africa, it is widely harvested from the wild and has been introduced into many other tropical countries as a promising timber plantation species. It is also cultivated as a shade tree in cacao plantations.

Terminalia kaernbachii, Terminalia okari

Terminalia kaernbachii produces a very high quality nut, somewhat similar to the almond. Its natural distribution is confined mainly to the south side of the island of New Guinea and some other islands. It bears poorly near the ocean, but does well in inland locations from very low altitudes up to an altitude of 1100 m.

The seed has an excellent, mild, almond-like flavour, it can be eaten raw, roasted or baked.

Terminalia mantaly

Terminalia mantaly is a deciduous or evergreen tree with conspicuously layered branches. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of dyes and tannins. It can be used in reforestation projects and is a good shade tree, often being grown as an ornamental and to provide shade along streets.

Terminalia muelleri

This is a small, 30-foot-tall, deciduous tree which forms a symmetrical, horizontally-layered silhouette from an arrow-straight trunk. The leathery, four-inch-long leaves turn attractively red in autumn and winter before dropping. In spring, the trees are decorated with spikes of tiny greenish-white blossoms which are followed by dark blue, small fruits. This tree is probably well suited for a street tree and other urban planting sites where a small tree is needed. It would also make a nice addition to the small residential lot as a specimen tree or small shade tree for a patio or deck. Terminalia muelleri should be grown in full sun on any well-drained soil, tolerating acid, alkaline, and even salt, and are very wind-resistant. Trees should be planted where they can be protected from frost. Propagation is by seed.