Pilkhan

Ficus virens (earlier used to be known as Ficus infectoria )

A handsome, quick-growing tree with a dense crown of shining foliage, spreading branches, and a short trunk that is often knobby and irregular like that of a peepal/ashwattho.

Bark: smooth, pale greyish with a silver wash, flakes off in irregular patches

Leaf: 3-6’’, with longish stalk, wider near base tapering with a short tip, margin is wavy.

Fruit (figs): Pea sized, grows in pairs from base of leafstalk, whitish with reddish spots when ripe.

Season: Leaves are shade in late winter or early spring and soon new leaves appear anytime between January to March. New leaves are often beautiful in different shades of red.

Range/habitat: This species is indigenous in most parts of India as well as in Sri Lanka, Malaya Peninsula, and China

Trivia and notes: Benthall wrote in hist Trees of Kolkata (1946) “It is fairly plentiful in Calcutta and some fine specimens may be seen on the Maidan, especially near the Kidderpore Bridge (in 1944)”. However, in my observation it is nowadays rare tree in Kolkata, though there are quite a few in Dhakuria lake area. Beyond this, till date I have observed only one specimen beside Prince Anwar Shah road near Tipu masjid.

Where to Find: There are a few in the north east section of Rabindra sarovar, Kolkatae. The largest one is near the junction where the road between lotus pond (paddopukur) & Andersen club meets the main road. This tree is conspicuous as its large branches are low and is extended to the lake (edit: this branch is now gone). GPS: 22.51134N, 88.36259E (this is the specimen in picture in rosy new leaves)