Terminalia samoensis
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| Terminalia samoensis |
Terminalia samoensis is a small tree up to approximately 5 meters in height.
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[edit] Description
Terminalia samoensis is a small tree up to approximately 5 meters in height. The simple leaves are glossy green and ovate in shape, 7 to 20 cm long and alternately arranged along the stem. The small white flowers are clustered in spikes at the end of the branches. Each spike is about 12 cm long and contains between 15 to 30 flowers. The flowers have no petals but have bell shaped calyces (sepals) instead that are approximately 3 mm long. There are 10 stemans and the ovary is below the other flower parts (inferior). The fruits are red at maturity and look very similar to those of tropical beach almond (Terminalia catappa) but are much smaller, being only 1.5 - 2.5 cm long. The single seed is surrounded by a fibrous material that is buoyant and the fruits are distributed by ocean currents.
[edit] Distribution
Terminalia samoensis naturally occurs from Indonesia eastward to French Polynesia, where it typically grows along rocky or sandy coastlines.
[edit] Food Uses
Like its cousin, the tropical beach almond, the fruits of Terminalia samoensis are edible, however due to their smaller size, they are not commonly consumed.
[edit] Indigenous Practices
The wood of this tree is used for traditional carvings throughout its range in the Pacific Islands. Terminalia samoensis is also an important shade tree which is sometimes left uncut or planted in villages.
