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Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Urticales
Family: Moraceae
Common name: Ashathwa, Peepul, Pan bot(Beng.); Peepal tree, Sacred banyan tree, Pipal, Bo-tree.
Life cycle:
Native Range: Native to Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, southwest China and Indochina. Ficus religiosa is a large dry season-deciduous or semi-evergreen tree up to 30 m tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 3 m. Their leaves are cordate in shape with a distinctive extended tip; they are 10–17 cm long and 8–12 cm broad, with a 6–10 cm petiole. Their fruit is a small fig 1-1.5 cm diameter, green ripening purple.
Many parts of the sacred fig have traditional medicinal uses for a wide array of ailments. Their bark is useful in inflammations and glandular neck swellings while root bark is good for treating ulcers. Their roots also treat gout and when chewed can help prevent gum disease. Their fruit is a laxative, promoting digestion, and it curbs vomiting. Ripe fruits are good for abating foul taste, thirst and heart disease. |
