Herbarium JCB

Ficus benghalensis L.

Family : MORACEAE
(MULBERRY FAMILY OR FIG FAMILY)
Family (as per The Plant List) : Moraceae
Species : Ficus benghalensis
Species Name (as per The Plant List) : Ficus benghalensis L.
Common name : Banyan Tree
Vernacular name : Bat, Bargad (Hin.); Aladamara, Goli mara (Kan.); Aalamaram (Tam.); Marvi, Pedda Marri (Tel.); Baro, Bargad, Bargat (Ori.); Vata (San.)
Key identification features : A giant evergreen tree with spreading branches and supported by aerial roots that grow down into the soil to form the 'props'. Bark is grey-brown, relatvely smooth, fluted and buttressed; exudes milky latex when cut. Leaves are leathery, simple and alternate, ovate with prominent veins. Galls are often seen on the leaf surface. Figs are about 2 cm in diameter, rich red and appear in pairs from the leaf axils.
Habit : Tree
Flower, Fruit : Throughout the Year
Comments : Often on plains to 1000 m, both wild and sometimes planted.
Conservation Status : Not Evaluated (NE)
World Distribution : India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan; Cultivated in tropics
Literature : J.L.Ellis, 1990- Flora of Nallamalais Vol. 2; H.O. Saxena & M. Brahmam, 1995- Flora of Orissa Vol. 3 ; R. S. Rao et al., 1986 - Flora of West Godavari District ; R. S. Rao and S. H. Sreeramulu, 1986 - Flora of Srikakulam District; H. O. Saxena and M. Brahmam, 1989 - The Flora of Similipal, Orissa; N.P.Singh, 1988. Flora of Eastern Karnataka; Matthew, K.M., The Flora of Tamil Nadu Carnatic, Vol.3 (2). Diocesan Press, Madras. 1983.
Citation : Sankara Rao, K., Arun Singh R., Deepak Kumar, Raja K Swamy and Navendu Page (2016). Digital Flora of Eastern Ghats. http://easternghats.ces.iisc.ernet.in/plants.php?name=Ficus benghalensis. Downloaded on 4 July 2024.