Terminalia arenicola

Terminalia arenicola is a small to medium-sized tree growing to around 10 m (33 ft) high, the trunk is grey and tessellated, branches are often sympodial. The leaves are obovate, discolorous, spirally arranged and clustered towards the ends of the branches. They may be up to 22 cm (8.7 in) long and 14 cm (5.5 in) wide. Domatia are usually present, as well as glands on the leaf underside near the junction with the petiole. The inflorescence is an axillary spike or raceme, which carries numerous pentamerous white or cream flowers measuring about 7 mm (0.28 in) diameter. The flowers near the base of the spike are bisexual whilst those near the apex are male. The fruit is a drupe, at maturity measuring up to 40 mm (1.6 in) long, 25 mm (0.98 in) wide and 18 mm (0.71 in) high, with a short "beak" at the distal end. They are initially glaucous blue/green, becoming dark purple or red at maturity. This species is very similar to Terminalia catappa, but is generally smaller in most respects.

Phenology. The brown damson is semi-deciduous and may be bare for a brief period in the spring (Sep-Oct). Flowering occurs from September to May and the fruit may ripen at any time of the year.

The brown damson is found in coastal forests in close proximity to beaches, often co-occurring with T. catappa and T. muelleri. The longitudinal range is stated in Flora of Australia as being from 16°S (i.e. in the vicinity of the Bloomfield River) to 20°S (near Bowen), while Byrnes' paper defines the range as being from 22°S (near Airlie Beach) northwards, with no northern limit declared.

This species, along with T.catappa, has been widely planted in coastal cities of northeast Queensland, on beaches and in streets and parks, as it provides good shade and beautification of these areas.

The species epithet arenicola is from the Latin harēna, 'sand', and -cola, 'inhabitant', which refers to the beach habitat that is favoured by this tree.