Sacred fig

Ficus religiosa

''Ficus religiosa'' or sacred fig is a species of fig native to the Indian subcontinent and Indochina that belongs to ''Moraceae'', the fig or mulberry family. It is also known as the bodhi tree, pippala tree, peepul tree, peepal tree or ashwattha tree . The sacred fig is considered to have a religious significance in three major religions that originated on the Indian subcontinent, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Hindu and Jain ascetics consider the tree to be sacred and often meditate under them. This is the tree under which Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. Sacred fig is designated as the state tree of the Indian state of Odisha.
Venation on Ficus religiosa leaf skeleton One of the botanical specimens I've collected over the years - but I've had it for so long I can no longer remember in which country I found the original leaf. Update...identified by JD member _ChunXingWong_ Australia,Bodhi tree,Fall,Ficus religiosa,Flora,Geotagged,Leaf,Moraceae,Peepul tree,Pippala tree,Rosales,Sacred fig,ashwattha tree,botany,leaf skeleton,leaf venation

Appearance

''Ficus religiosa'' is a large dry season-deciduous or semi-evergreen tree up to 30 metres tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 3 metres . The leaves are cordate in shape with a distinctive extended drip tip; they are 10–17 centimetres long and 8–12 centimetres broad, with a 6–10 centimetres petiole. The fruits are small figs 1–1.5 centimetres in diameter, green ripening to purple.

''F. religiosa'' has a very long lifespan, ranging on average between 900 and 1,500 years. In some of its native habitats, it has been reportedly found living for over 3,000 years. Some trees have been reported to be more than 2,000 years old, like the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a peepal tree in the ancient city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka which is estimated to be more than 2,250 years old and is regarded as the "Oldest historical tree in the world with religious importance".

Habitat

''Ficus religiosa'' suitably grows at altitudes ranging from 10 metres up to 1,520 metres . Due to the climatic conditions which are prevalent throughout different heat zones, it can grow at latitudes ranging from 30°N to 5°S. It can tolerate air temperatures ranging between 0 °C to 35 °C , beyond this upper limit its growth diminishes. It grows on a wide variety of soils but preferably needs deep, alluvial sandy loam with good drainage. It is also found on shallow soils including rock crevices.''Ficus religiosa'' is tolerant to various climate zones and various types of soils. In Paraguay the tree species occurs in forests at lower elevations, and in China the species has been reported growing at altitudes ranging from 400 metres to 700 metres . In India, being a native species, it occurs both naturally in wild as well as cultivated up to altitudes of 1,520 metres .

Uses

''Ficus religiosa'' is used in traditional medicine for about fifty types of disorders including asthma, diabetes, diarrhea, epilepsy, gastric problems, inflammatory disorders, infectious and sexual disorders.

Prayer beads are made from the seeds of ''Ficus religiosa'', considered sacred because of the closeness to Buddha himself and his enlightenment.

Farmers in North India also cultivate it for its fig fruit.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderRosales
FamilyMoraceae
GenusFicus
SpeciesF. religiosa
Photographed in
Australia