Tectona grandis

Teak is considered a very valuable wood because of its ability to withstand weather. It even prevents any metal used in it from rusting. Teak is very stable, which means that it does not warp when subjected to variations in humidity and temperature. According to Ayurveda, wood is acrid, cooling, laxative, sedative to gravid uterus and useful in treatment of piles, leucoderma and dysentery. Flowers are acrid, bitter and dry and useful in bronchitis, biliousness, urinary discharges etc. Roots are useful in treatment of urinary system related troubles. According to Unani system of medicine, the oil from flower is hair promoter and useful in scabies. Wood is good for headache, biliousness, burning sensation and pain and liver related troubles. It allays thirst and possess anthelmintic and expectorant properties. Wood is used for ship building, railways, piles in harbour, bridge-building, construction work, furniture and cabinet work. Leaves yield dye, which is used for dyeing cotton and wool. It prefers no competition, so for the first few years, it has to be cleared of weeds and kept from being shaded. After about three years, the trees are large enough to shade out competing vegetation. Teak requires very good drainage and rich soil. It prefers a dry season of about three months.

Tetracera indica

Tetracera indica, native to Thailand, is a large shrub that can grow up to 5-10 feet tall, or it can be shaped into a small tree up to 20 feet. It prefers full sun and regular watering and does best in grows in USDA Zones 10-11. The foliage of Tetracera indica is a beautiful green. In spring and summer, showy white or off-white flowers appear, to be admired by butterflies and hummingbirds. The flowers are also very fragrant, with a strong powder-puff scent.

Tetracera indica is easy to grow and care for in a variety of climates. In the warmest climates, it will require regular watering, and should be trimmed regularly to keep its dense shape. In colder climates, it should be grown in a pot, and should be brought inside during the winter months. When grown in a pot, Tetracera indica will require regular watering, as well as protection from extreme cold. It should also be kept above 55F to ensure that it continues to bloom properly. With proper care and regular pruning, Tetracera indica can be a stunning addition to any home or garden.

Tetracera sp.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Tetracera is a large shrub, growing from 5-10 feet tall, found natively in Thailand. It is best grown in full sun and thrives in areas with regular water. In the summer it blooms white or off-white flowers with a sweet, fragrant aroma. This shrub is particularly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds and will draw them to your yard. In order to grow Tetracera successfully, it is best to plant them in USDA zones 10-11, where the temperature is above 55F.

If you live in a colder region, it is still possible to enjoy the beauty of a Tetracera shrub. Growing them in pots allows you to move them easily and protect them during extreme cold, giving you the best chance of success. Plant them in a potting soil mix and provide consistently moist soil. When the temperature drops to 55F, you may want to bring the pot indoors or move it to a sheltered area so as to protect from cold. Water regularly and fertilize once a year with a balanced slow release fertilizer to ensure your shrub thrives. Pruning may be necessary to encourage bushier growth or to remove dead or diseased branches.

Tetracera is an attractive and unique plant, perfect for adding interest to your garden. It is easy to care for and attracts a variety of wildlife. With just a little care and attention, you will have a beautiful and fragrant shrub to enjoy for years to come.

Theobroma bicolor

Tree to 12 m. Fruit ellipsoid, 15-20 x 10-11 cm, 0.5-3 kg, gray or greenish before maturity, yellow or yellowish brown at maturity; aril cream to yellow.

This fast growing tree has a small canopy, and can be intercropped with many tree species. It prefers alluvial soils and tolerates minimal flooding. Some seem adapted to deep and prolonged flooding. Macambo also does well in upland environments. The tree slowly increases in size as it ages, and can be very productive. It coppices fairly well, and can produce fruit at times when other fruits are scarce.

Aril eaten fresh or used to prepare juice or ice creams. Traditionally mixed with achiote (Bixa orellana L.) and sugar to make a sweet dessert. The seeds are consumed roasted, boiled, in pastry, and to prepare chocolate. The bad quality fruit are used to animal food.

Theobroma cacao

Varieties: Red , Yellow. Season: October-January. This beautiful tree has large dark green leaves that shade the fruit pods which grow directly from the trunk and branches. The flesh is eaten as a dessert, and the seeds are the raw material of chocolate. Hot chocolate can be made by drying the seeds, roasting, grinding, and adding milk. Chocolate beans were used as money by the Maya Indians of Central America. The red pods are larger and have more abundant flesh. Cocoa is prepared by grinding the beans into a paste between hot rollers and mixing it with sugar and starch, part of the fat being removed. Chocolate is prepared in much the same way, but the fat is retained. Oil of Theobroma or butter is a yellowish white solid, with an odor resembling that of cocoa, taste bland and agreeable; generally extracted by expression. It is used as an ingredient in cosmetic ointments and in pharmacy for coating pills and preparing suppositories. It has excellent emollient properties and is used to soften and protect chapped hands and lips. Theobromine, the alkaloid contained in the beans, resembles caffeine in its action, but its effect on the central nervous system is less powerful. Its action on muscle, the kidneys and the heart is more pronounced. It is used principally for its effect due to stimulation of the renal epithelium; it is especially useful when there is an accumulation of fluid in the body resulting from cardiac failure, when it is often given with digitalis to relieve dilatation. It is also employed in high blood pressure as it dilates the blood-vessels. It is best administered in powders or cachets. See Article about Drink of the Gods.