Ficus benghalensis

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Species: Ficus benghalensis
Scientific Name: Ficus benghalensis L.

Common names
English: Banyan, Banyan Tree, East Indian Fig

Hindi: Bar, Bargad, Barh बढ़

Marathi: Vad

Sanskrit Bahupada, Vat

Description
Large spreading evergreen tree, epiphytic in early life with numerous aerial roots from the branches which thicken and ultimately become stilts. Bark grayish brown, smooth, younger parts softly pubescent. Leaves elliptic-ovate, 12-18 by 5-8 cm long, margin entire, obtuse at apex, rounded at base, coriaceous, glossy above, glabrescent of pubescent beneath, 5-7 veins, lateral veins 5-7 on either half of midvein, looped within the margin, prominent beneath. Petiole 2-3 cm, stipules 1.5-2.5 cm, deltoid, acute, coriaceous. Figs in axillary pairs, sessile, globose, silky pubescent, basal bracts suborbicular. Male and female flowers in the same receptacle. Male flowers numerous near the mouth of the receptacle, perianth segments 4, stamens 1. Gall flowers similar, with a short style, Female flowers with smaller perianth and elongated style. Syconus fruit scarlet red when ripe.