Terminalia foetens Engl.
Terminalia foetens Engl. is a species of tree in the family Combretaceae and is native to tropical regions of Africa, from Sierra Leone to Angola. It is commonly known as the stinking mahogany, due to its pungent odour, or as the African almond tree, due to the similarity of its fruit to that of the almond tree.
Appearance
The stinking mahogany is a medium-sized tree, growing up to 20 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1 meter. It has a rounded or spreading crown, with drooping branches. The bark is grey and rough, with deep fissures and vertical ridges. The leaves are simple, alternate, and oblong, growing up to 10 cm long and 5 cm wide, with a glossy dark green upper surface and a paler under surface. The flowers are small, white, and arranged in axillary or terminal inflorescences. The fruit is a drupe, 2–3 cm long, and contains a single seed.
Uses
The stinking mahogany is an important timber tree, with hard and durable wood that is used for construction, furniture, and charcoal. The bark, leaves, and roots of the tree are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including malaria, dysentery, and stomach problems. The fruit is edible, raw or roasted and can be used as a substitute for almonds in food recipes. In some African cultures, the tree is considered sacred and used for religious and ritual purposes.
Light Requirements:
Terminalia foetens Engl. requires full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. It may survive in low light conditions but will not thrive or produce flowers as well.
Temperature Requirements:
The plant can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. However, it prefers warm climates with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F). Terminalia foetens is sensitive to frost and cannot withstand temperatures below 10°C (50°F).
Soil Requirements:
Terminalia foetens grows well in well-draining, loamy soils. The plant requires a neutral to slightly acidic soil pH (6.0-7.5). It prefers soils that are rich in organic matter and have good water retention capacity. The plant can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils.
Cultivation Methods
Terminalia foetens Engl. is a hardy tree that can grow in a variety of soil types such as sandy, loamy, or clay soils. The plant can thrive in both acid and alkaline environments. It's also tolerant of drought and heat, making it a great choice for dry areas.
The tree can be propagated through seed or cuttings. It's best to sow the seeds in well-drained soil during the rainy season. If you want to use cuttings, it's advisable to take softwood cuttings in the early summer months as they root quickly. The cuttings can be transplanted to a pot or directly into the ground.
Watering Needs
Terminalia foetens Engl. is drought-tolerant, but it still needs regular watering to thrive. The plant can be watered once a week during the dry season and twice a week during the growing season. Make sure to water deeply to encourage deep root growth and avoid shallow watering, which may cause the roots to grow near the surface.
However, overwatering the plant may cause waterlogging and rotting of the roots. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that the soil drains well and to avoid watering excessively.
Fertilization
Fertilization is essential to keep Terminalia foetens Engl. healthy and thriving. The plant can benefit from regular application of organic fertilizers like compost, manure, or mulch. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are also crucial for the tree's development.
You can apply fertilizer to the soil in the early spring and fall for optimal growth. However, avoid fertilizing during the dry season, as the plant will have limited ability to absorb the nutrients and may lead to fertilizer burn.
Pruning
Pruning is necessary to keep Terminalia foetens Engl. healthy and control its growth. You can prune the branches in the early spring to remove any damaged, diseased or dead wood, and to shape the plant.
It's advisable to prune the tree after the rainy season when the tree is likely to experience active growth. You can also prune it lightly throughout the year to remove any overly long or crossing branches.
Propagation of Terminalia Foetens Engl.
Propagation of Terminalia foetens can be achieved through various methods that involve both sexual and vegetative propagation. The plant produces seeds that can be used for propagation, and there are also several asexual propagation methods that can be employed.
Sexual Propagation
The propagation of Terminalia foetens can be achieved through seed propagation. The seeds of the plant are readily available and are easy to germinate. The best time for seed sowing is during the rainy season when the soil moisture is high. The seeds should be sown in seedbeds or directly in the field. It is important to ensure that the soil is rich in organic matter and well-drained.
The seeds should be sown at a depth of about 1-2 cm and should be covered lightly with soil. The germination period is about 2-4 weeks, and the seedlings can be transplanted into individual bags or containers once they have reached a height of about 5-8 cm.
Vegetative Propagation
Propagation of Terminalia foetens can also be achieved through vegetative methods such as stem cuttings and air layering. These methods can be a quick and efficient way of propagating the plant.
Stem cuttings should be taken from mature, healthy plants during the rainy season. The cuttings should be about 15-20 cm long and should have 2-3 nodes. The lower leaves should be removed, and the cuttings should be treated with a rooting hormone before planting. The cuttings should be planted in well-drained soil, and the soil should be kept moist until the cuttings have established roots.
Air layering is another method that can be used to propagate Terminalia foetens. This method involves making a small cut in the stem of the plant and applying a rooting hormone to the wound. The cut should then be wrapped with moist sphagnum moss and covered with plastic to create a mini greenhouse. The roots will develop at the wound site, and once they have formed, the new plant can be cut from the parent plant and planted in soil.
Overall, there are several methods for propagating Terminalia foetens. By selecting the appropriate method, gardeners can easily propagate this plant for ornamental, medicinal or other purposes.
Disease Management for Terminalia foetens Engl.
Terminalia foetens Engl. is a relatively disease-resistant plant. However, it may still be susceptible to some fungal and bacterial diseases:
- Leaf spot: This disease is caused by several species of fungi, including Alternaria and Cercospora. Symptoms include circular or irregular brown spots on the leaves, which may be surrounded by a yellow halo. To manage leaf spot, remove and destroy diseased leaves, improve air circulation, and avoid overhead watering.
- Root rot: This disease is caused by several soil-borne fungi, including Fusarium and Phytophthora. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing, and stunting of plants. To manage root rot, avoid overwatering, improve soil drainage, and apply fungicides to the soil.
- Canker: This disease is caused by several species of bacteria, including Pseudomonas. Symptoms include sunken, necrotic areas on stems and branches. To manage canker, remove and destroy diseased plant parts, improve air circulation, and apply copper-based fungicides.
Pest Management for Terminalia foetens Engl.
Terminalia foetens Engl. is also relatively pest-resistant. However, it may still attract some insects and mites:
- Scale insects: These insects attach themselves to the stems and leaves of plants and suck sap from them. Symptoms include yellowing, stunting, and distorted growth. To manage scale insects, remove and destroy heavily infested plant parts, apply horticultural oil, and release predatory insects.
- Spider mites: These tiny pests damage leaves by puncturing them and sucking sap from them. Symptoms include yellowing, stippling, and webbing on the leaves. To manage spider mites, spray plants with water to dislodge them, release predatory mites, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Caterpillars: These pests chew leaves and can defoliate plants if left unmanaged. Symptoms include holes in leaves and stripped foliage. To manage caterpillars, handpick and destroy them or apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticide.
