Trees in Gulmohar Park - Banyan Tree

                                      BANYAN 

Scientific Name - Ficus benghalensis 

Common Name - Banyan , Bargad

Family Name - Moraceae (Fig family)

Bark -  

• Grey or silvery 
• Relatively smooth and becomes flaky when it grows older 
• Underbark is pink when exposed 

Leaf - 

• When first emerge shielded by two large leaves 
• Leaf can be 20 cm long but usually 14 cm
• Broadly oval with a heart shaped or round base
• Leaves become firm leathery and smooth when mature  

Fig - 

• More or less spherical 
• 2 cm long 
• Grows in pairs from leaf axis 

Origin - Unknown 

Range -  

All Indian forests both moist and dry 

Growing Condition - 

• Can grow up to 1300 m in mountainous areas  
• Grows best in loamy soils but can tolerate a variety of soils and dry conditions 

Uses -

• Latex is applied to bruises and cracked soles and to relieve rheumatic pain  
• The tree is also used for worship by Hindus 

Legend -
According to an old indian legend two orphaned children were left under a banyan tree and were nourished by milk that dripped from the tree thus saved from starvation 

Location in Gulmohar Park - 
Found in the park opposite to D Block