Banyan, banyan fig, banyantree, bengal f

Ficus benghalensis is an evergreen , fast-growing tree found mainly in monsoon and rainforests, that can reach a height of 20 meters. It is resistant to drought and mild frost. It produces propagating roots which grow downwards as aerial roots on the branches that grow downward like lianas. Once these roots reach the ground, they take root and become woody trunks and supportive.

The figs produced by the tree are eaten by birds such as the Indian myna. Fig seeds that pass through the digestive system of birds are more likely to germinate and sprout earlier

Uses:- Banyan is an important tree in the Indian subcontinent. Banyan is the national tree of India due to its iconic aspect, longevity and cultural importance in Indian villages: the banyan tree is the focal point of village life and the village council meets under the shade of this tree (Know India, 2020). It was named banyan because it was appreciated for its shade by merchants and travellers from the Bania caste in India. The tree is planted as a shade tree and an ornamental along roads and in parks. All parts of the tree – fruits, leaves, roots and bark – are used in ethnomedicine. The fruits are edible but only eaten in times of scarcity. Banyan leaves are lopped for ruminants, particularly in lean periods