Bitterroot Restoration

Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Common name: Jogyadumur, Gulangdumur(Beng.); Fig(Eng.).
Life cycle: Perennial
Native Range: Native to Australasia, South-East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.

This tree is medium tall, growing 10-16 meters in height. The rich green foliage provides a good shade. Their bark is reddish grey and often cracked. Their leaves are dark green, 7.5-10 cm long, ovate or elliptic. Their fruit receptacles 2-5 cm in diameter, pyriform, in large clusters, arising from main trunk or large branches. The fruits resemble the figs and are green when raw, turning orange, dull reddish or dark crimson on ripening.

Their roots, bark-skin, fruits, lates and leaves of Fig have great medicinal value. Fig is used both, internally as well externally. The latex is applied on chronic infected wounds to alleviate edema, pain and to promote the healing. The tender leaf buds are applied on the skin, in the form of paste, to improve the complexion. The decoction of leaves is salutary in washing the wounds for better cleansing and healing.