The Indian Almond is a medium sized tree with branches that reach out horizontally in layers.
It has a smooth gray bark and the wood derived from the trunk is used for construction purposes. Its flowers bloom at the edge of the branches like spikes. They are small and greenish-white in colour. The green fruit is shaped like an almond and also tastes like an almond.
Its leaves are medium to large in size and turn from light green to dark green as they age, turning red right before they fall off the tree. The juice of the young leaves is used in southern India to prepare an ointment for treating scabies, leprosy and other skin diseases.
The leaves are also used to feed the Antheraea silk worms (larvae of the Tussar Moths) that produce Tussar silk. Since the leaves also contain rich chemical properties, they are used in aquariums to increase the acidic nature of the water for fish that thrive in such conditions.
It is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant because of the deep shade its large leaves provide. It is propagated through cuttings and seed germination. It grows well in tropical climates and sandy soils.
IMPORTANT: The information on this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference books. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Readers should always consult their physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
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