Ficus benghalensis - Banyan

❏ Binomial Name : Ficus benghalensis L.

❏ Synonym : Urostigma bengalense

❏ Family : Moraceae

❏ Common Name : Banyan

❏ Tamil Name : Alamaram

❏ Hindi Name : Bar, Bargad, Bor

❏ IUCN status: Not Evaluated

Ficus benghalensis Botanical Description

Large spreading evergreen tree, epiphytic in early life with numerous aerial roots from the branches which thicken and ultimately become stilts. Bark grayish brown, smooth, younger parts softly pubescent. Leaves elliptic-ovate, 12-18 by 5-8 cm long, margin entire, obtuse at apex, rounded at base, coriaceous, glossy above, glabrescent of pubescent beneath, 5-7 veins, lateral veins 5-7 on either half of midvein, looped within the margin, prominent beneath. Petiole 2-3 cm, stipules 1.5-2.5 cm, deltoid, acute, coriaceous. Figs in axillary pairs, sessile, globose, silky pubescent, basal bracts suborbicular. Male and female flowers in the same receptacle. Male flowers numerous near the mouth of the receptacle, perianth segments 4, stamens 1. Gall flowers similar, with a short style, Female flowers with smaller perianth and elongated style. Syconus fruit scarlet red when ripe. Fl. &Fr.: Flowering throughout the year.

Ficus benghalensis Medicinal uses

❀ The leaves are used to remedy dysentery and diarrhoea

❀ The milky latex in the plant is applied topicaly to treat toothache, bruises, painful areas, rheumatic joints and lumbago

❀ The bark is tonic and diuretic. An infusion is antidiabetic and a decoction is used as an astringent in the treatment of leucorrhoea

❀ The fruit is tonic and has a cooling effect

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