Common Name:

General Information

Terminalia tetrandra is a deciduous tree with a dense, spreading crown comprising layers of branches in whorls; it can grow up to 35 metres tall. The usually straight and cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 12 metres, and up to 100cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. A good quality wood, it is also traded. The tree is sometimes planted as an ornamental[].
Although Terminalia tetrandra is widely distributed in eastern Madagascar, it is rather uncommon and limited to a threatened habitat of moist, dense, evergreen forest. It may easily become threatened by genetic erosion because it is selectively logged for its timber[].

Known Hazards

Wood splinters may cause inflammation of the skin[].

Botanical References

Range

Africa - eastern Madagascar.

Habitat

Humid evergreen forest, from sea-level up to 1,100 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	28.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The tree shows sympodial growth, with new lateral shoots developing from buds in the leaf axils. These shoots grow rapidly and characteristically exist of a long, slender, leafless basal part and a short apical part with clustered leaves. This growth model results in a crown with tiers of branches, but old trees may lose the storied structure of the crown. Terminalia tetrandra mainly flowers from December to January. In the basal part of the inflorescence usually bisexual flowers develop, in the apical part male flowers[].

Edible Uses

The bark is used in the production of alcoholic drinks with a bitter taste[].

Medicinal

The bark is used in traditional medicine; it is taken to treat excessive salivation, and is applied as a wash to boils and ulcers[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is pinkish pale brown, with uneven yellowish markings; it is clearly demarcated from the 5 - 7cm wide band of yellowish sapwood. The grain is slightly wavy, sometimes interlocked; the texture moderately coarse.
The wood is moderately heavy, not very durable, being susceptible to attacks by fungi, termites and Lyctus borers. It air dries well, with little degrade. The wood is easy to saw and work with both hand and machine tools, with only a moderate blunting effect on cutting edges; it finishes well, but the use of a filler is necessary to obtain an acceptable polish; it holds nails and screws well; glues moderately well. The wood, known in the trade as ‘tafanala’ is used for joinery, furniture and tool handles. It is suitable for light construction, flooring, interior trim, ship building, vehicle bodies, musical instruments, boxes, crates, toys, novelties, vats, turnery, veneer, plywood, hardboard and particle board[].

Propagation

Seed -

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