Ficus benghalensis L.

Scientific Name: Ficus benghalensis L.

Family: Moraceae

Common Name: Banyan

Hindi Name: बढ़  

Description:  Its a huge tree. A single tree may spread over a large area and look like a small forest.  It has a main trunk 13 feet (4 m) in diameter, 230 trunks as large as oak trees, and more than 3,000 smaller ones. The largest banyan tree known is on the island of Sri Lanka. It has 350 large trunks and over 3,000 small ones. The banyan often grows to a height of over 21 meters. the fruit is really a hollow, flower-bearing structure called a cyconia. 

Economic Importance: 

• The wood of the Banyan tree is used in making door panels, boxes and the other items. 

• Its bark is used for making paper and ropes. 

• The milky latex that comes from its leaves and stems is used in many Ayurvedic medicines. 

• Other uses : In India its edible leaves are used as the plates.

Medicinal Importance:

• The bark of this therapeutically valuable tree is attributed with tonic, astringent, cooling and diuretic properties in Ayurveda.

Cultural Importance: 

• A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this tree.

Religious Importance: 

• The banyan tree is considered as sacred by various tribal communities. As Gautam Buddha sat under this tree for seven days it is regarded as holy by the Buddhists. The first Tirthankara of Jainism, Rishabhanath received perfect knowledge under the banyan tree. Thus, it is sacred to the Jains.