Family: Combretaceae
Common name: Arjuna, Arjun tree, White marudah, Arjun, Tropical almond, Malabar almond, Neermaruthu, Koha, Kahu, Vellai maruthu, Vellamatta marutae
Arjuna tree is a large tree native to India, recognized for its medicinal properties in the treatment of heart conditions. It can grow in a variety of weather conditions, thriving in tropical and subtropical countries.
Tree characteristics
Arjuna trees can grow to a height of 20-25 meters with a straight, cylindrical stem that is sometimes buttressed for added strength. The bark is greyish-brown growing thick, scaly, and fissured with age.
Leaves of the Arjuna tree are long, broad, lance-shaped, and leathery. They grow very thick and crowded at the ends of the stem, giving the tree its name Terminalia which comes from the Latin word terminus which means ending.
Leaves are 15-20 cm long and 8-10 cm wide, dull green on the upper surface and brownish green below. Arjuna trees can be deciduous, shedding leaves just before winter.
Flowers of the Arjuna tree are small, long, pale yellow, or creamy white in color. They are arranged in clusters blooming at the tips of the branches, during spring and summer.
Each flower is about a cm in diameter with a small goblet-like center and many stamens. The abundant stamens make the flowers look like small fuzzy worms.
During flowering season, the tree attracts many pollinators like insects and small birds, that help pollinate the flowers. After pollination, the tree produces fibrous, woody fruits that have 5 distinct wings.
Fruits are produced in large numbers, and they are eaten by birds and small animals, which is a means of seed dispersal. Though the fruits have wing-like structures, they are too heavy for wind dispersal.
Gardening tips
Arjuna trees prefer good sunlight and warm tropical weather with good rainfall. They can grow in a variety of soil conditions since the deep roots penetrate the soil in search of water.
They are good garden trees because of their thick canopy, dense foliage, beautiful flowers, and fruits. Make sure you leave at least 3-5 meters around the tree for it to grow and spread the crown.
Watering, pruning, and fertilization are needed only when the tree is small, after which it can pretty much take care of itself.
The leaves can be eaten by pests and worms, but that does not usually affect the flower or fruit production.
Remember that these trees are long-lasting, lasting over a 100 years. These trees belong to the same genus as Terminalia catappa or Indian almond tree and Terminalia mantaly or Madagascar almond tree
Uses of Arjuna tree
These trees have been used for hundreds of years in traditional herbal medicine and in Ayurveda for treating a variety of ailments, mostly cardiovascular diseases. The roots are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Root and bark extracts are used for treating angina, heart failure, fractures, ulcers, asthma, high blood pressure, wounds, diabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis, constipation, indigestion, and also to improve heart health.
Arjuna trees make excellent ornamental or shade trees in home gardens, roadsides, parks, or landscaped areas because of their dense crown and drooping branches.|
They provide shade and shelter for humans, birds, and other small animals, even spiders and insects that live in the scaly, fissured bark.
The timber of the tree is quite strong and durable, used for making boats, furniture, and houses.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
Mature seeds collected for the tree can be dried, soaked in water for a day, and then planted in soil to germinate in about 2-3 weeks. Make sure the saplings reach 60-80 meters of height before they are replanted in an area with enough space around them.
Semi-hardwood cuttings from healthy trees can be planted in a well-draining potting mix to root and grow.
Photographed at: Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah
