76
Ficus
religiosa L.
Synonym : Ficus peepul Griff.
Family
: Moraceae
Local Names
: Arayaal, Peepal tree,
Sacred fig, Bodhivriksham
Flowering
and fruiting period:
November – February
Distribution: East Himalayas;
planted and naturalised in India and neighbouring countries
Habitat: Widely planted in
temple premises
IUCN
status:
Data Deficient
Endemic: Yes
Uses: Sacred Indian plant,
Ayurvedic, anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, remedy for ulcer,
bonsai material, ornamental. The small figs are used mainly as a famine food.
It is used as an antidote against bites of venomous animals, and for the
treatment of haemoptysis and fistula. Aerial roots are used in the treatment of
ascites and are chewed by women to promote fertility. The bark contains tannins
and is used as a dye for cloth
Key
Characters:
Ficus religiosa are deciduous trees;
aerial roots absent. Leaves simple, alternate, margin entire, lateral nerves
looped near the margin. Flowers unisexual;
inflorescence a syconia; flowers of 4 kinds; male flowers ostiolar, tepals 2,
ovate, free, reddish; stamen ; female flowers sessile; tepals 3-4, linear,
brownish, ovary superior; gall flowers similar to female. Syconium when
ripening pink, purple or black.
