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Terminalia bentzoe (L.) L.f.

Family Name:	Combretaceae
Common Name:	Benjoin

Terminalia bentzoe is a tree endemic to Mauritius, Rodrigues and Réunion. It can reach up to 30 m tall and exhibits foliage dimorphism, where the appearance of young juvenile leaves differs from that of mature leaves. Its timber is valued for carpentry and quality joinery.

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Ornamental Leaves

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form	Tree
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Pyramidal
Maximum Height	30 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Mauritius, Rodrigues and Réunion
Native Habitat	Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a tree, up to 30 m. The trunk exudes a thick resin with a scent reminiscent of Styrax species.
Foliage	The leaves are simple and cluster at the ends of branches. It exhibits foliage dimorphism, where the appearance of young juvenile leaves differs from that of mature leaves. Mature leaves are green and elliptic to obovate while juvenile leaves are narrowly elliptical and reddish tone with purple-red veins.
Flowers	The flowers occur in a branched cluster in the leaf axils. They are small and cream-white.

Fruit	The fruit is green, with two broad wings, and contains a single seed.
Habitat	It is found in forests at low altitude.
Associated Fauna	Flowers are likely pollinated by insects. It is also the host plant of the Reunion Island wood butterfly, Neptis dumetorum, a butterfly endemic to Reunion Island.
Etymology	The genus epithet terminus, in Latin, means end, referring to the leaves being borne at the ends of the twigs
Ethnobotanical Uses	Medicinal: Traditional Medicinal Uses In Mauritius, the bark is used in traditional medicine for both internal use, such as intestinal ailments, and external use, such as treating wounds, while the resin is applied to treat skin infections. It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. Timber & Products: The timber is valued for carpentry and quality joinery. The trunk exudes a thick resin with a scent reminiscent of Styrax species

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	Parks & Gardens

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Propagation Method

Seed

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s)	Red, Purple
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm)	Woody
Root Type	Underground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	Cream / Off-White
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location	Axillary

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Samara
Seed Quantity Per Fruit	Few (1-5)

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	33840
Species ID	8256
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.