71

Ficus benghalensis L. var. krishnae DC.

Synonym                    : Ficus banyana Oken.

Family                        : Moraceae

Local Names              : Krishnan-aal, Krishna buttercup, Krishna fig

Flowering and fruiting period: January – July

Distribution: India and Sri Lanka

Habitat: Grown as ornamental

IUCN status: Data Deficient

Endemic: Yes

Uses: Ornamental, fruits edible, Sacred Indian plant. The leaves are used to remedy dysentery and diarrhoea, used in a decoction with toasted rice as a diaphoretic. The young leaves are heated and used as a poultice. The concentrated latex, combined with the fruit, is aphrodisiac and is used to treat spermatorrhoea and gonorrhoea. The milky latex in the plant is applied topically 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 aerial roots are used for temporary binding materials

Key Characters: Very large, fast growing, evergreen tree growing upto 30 m high, with spreading branches and many aerial roots. Leaves stalked, ovate heart-shaped, when young velvety on both sides. The unique feature of the tree is that the leaves have a pocket-like fold at the base.