terminalia

Terminalia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Combretaceae, comprising trees and shrubs. The genus includes roughly 180–200 species and is distributed mainly in tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia, with some species cultivated or naturalized elsewhere. Members of Terminalia are typically hardwoods with varying trunk forms, often buttressed. Leaves are simple and alternately arranged; flowers are small and frequently inconspicuous, and fruits are drupes or schizocarps that may persist on the tree.

Several species have economic and cultural significance. Terminalia catappa, the tropical almond, bears edible nuts and is widely planted as a shade tree in tropical regions. Terminalia arjuna is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for cardiovascular conditions, with bark extracts employed in some remedies. Terminalia chebula (haritaki) and Terminalia bellirica (bibhitaki) are valued in traditional medicine, and together with Emblica officinalis help form the Triphala herbal formulation in some practices. In timber markets, African species such as Terminalia ivorensis and Terminalia superba supply high-quality timber for furniture and veneer.

Ecologically, Terminalia species inhabit a range of tropical habitats, including riverine and gallery forests, and several are used in reforestation and erosion control projects. Wood and bark contain tannins and other compounds used in dyes, tanning, and traditional remedies. Some species are cultivated as ornamentals, notably Terminalia mantaly in tropical landscapes.