TERMINALIA

genus of about 200 species of trees of the family Combretaceae. Some species are commercially important for products such as gums, resins, and tanning extracts. T. arjuna, of Southeast Asia; T. hilariana, of tropical America; T. obovata, of the West Indies and South America; and T. superba, of West Africa yield woods used for cabinetwork, tools, and boat construction. T. catappa, the Indian, or tropical, almond, is commonly cultivated for ornament, particularly along streets in the tropics.