Family: Combretaceae
Terminalia arjuna (arjuna, arjun) is an evergreen tree native to central and southern India and Sri Lanka. The main commercial importance of this tree is for the production of a wild silk called tassar silk. The bark of Terminalia arjuna is particularly valued in traditional medicine for its cardio-protective and anti-inflammatory properties. It is reported to be naturalized in Florida, Africa, Mauritius and possibly elsewhere, but is not documented to be naturalized on any Hawaiian Islands to date. Due to its ability to spread vegetatively, its shade tolerant qualities when mature, and ability to thrive in tropical climates, this species may pose some risk of naturalization.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating some environmental versatility
- Naturalized in Florida, Africa, Mauritius and possibly elsewhere
- Other Terminalia species have become invasive
- Possibly allelopathic
- Adult trees shade tolerant
- Tolerates many soil types
- Can reproduce vegetatively by root suckers and stumps
- Viable seeds dispersed by animals (e.g. flying foxes), water and intentionally by people
- May form a persistent seed bank (unknown from field conditions)
- Able to coppice and resprout after cutting
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Fodder tree (palatable to grazing animals)
- Used to raise tassar silkworms
- Non-toxic
- Ornamental
- Seedlings are shade-intolerant
- Mostly self-incompatible (although limited self-pollination has been documented to occur)
- Reaches maturity in 6-7 years
