Peepal tree
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Scientific name: Ficus religiosa
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Family: Moraceae
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Common names: Peepal, Sacred Fig, Bodhi Tree
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🔹 Uses
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Medicinal → leaves, bark, figs for asthma, diabetes, cough, skin ailments
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Religious → sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism
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Shade → planted in temples, parks, roadsides
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Timber → light construction (rarely used due to sacredness)
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🔹 Ecological Role
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Provides dense shade
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Leaf litter improves soil fertility
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Supports bird nesting and bats
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Carbon sequestration → long-living tree
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Supports biodiversity through figs
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🔹 Fun Facts
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Bodhi Tree → Buddha attained enlightenment here
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Can live hundreds of years
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Has aerial roots forming new trunks
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Leaves rustle in wind → considered auspicious
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🔹 Cultural Significance
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Sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism
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Worshipped on Saturdays and festivals
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Planted near temples & villages for spiritual protection
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Symbol of life, fertility, and continuity
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👉 Peepal = Sacred, medicinal, shade-providing, biodiversity-friendly, culturally significant tree.Â