Particulars

Arboretum name: Teshi: Sea Almond
Japanese name: Momotamana (Kobateishi)
Species / Family: Terminalia catappa L./Combretaceae
Okinawan name: Kufadīsā, Nnmāgi

Plant Characteristics

Momotamana, or Terminalia catappa is a deciduous tree found along the coastal forests in tropical regions, extending from Africa and Asia to the Ryukyu Islands.
The leaves are large and obovoid, and grow at the tip of branches in clusters. With the branches growing horizontally, the tree forms a stunning shape. From fall to winter, the leaves turn red before falling. The flowers are small and white, and are produced in inflorescences between April and July, with male flowers on the upper half and female flowers on the lower half of the stem. The fruit is oval, and turns light yellow when ripe between September and December, attracting bats. As the fruit is layered with cork, it drifts in ocean currents, washing up along the beaches across the islands.

Uses

Trees: Parks, Streets, Planting for Cemeteries
Leaves: Dye　
Wood: Furniture, Boats, Building Materials

Calendar of best viewing periods

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