Ficus religiosa L.
അരയാല്‍


Family: MORACEAE
Sub-Family: Not available
English Name: Peepal Tree
Synonym: Ficus peepul Griff.
Common Name: Sacred fig, Bodhivriksham
Flowering & Fruiting Period: November - February
Distribution: East Himalayas; planted and naturalised in India
Habitat: Widely planted in temple premises
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 Characteristics: Ficusreligiosa 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; female flowers sessile; tepals 3-4, linear, brownish, ovary superior; gall flowers similar to female. Syconium when ripening pink, purple or black.