Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

195
Moraceae
Ficus religiosa L.
(Syn: Urostigma religiosum (L.) Gasp.)
English name: Bo-tree Ficus.
Local name: Pipal, Pipli.
Description:
A tall spreading much branched, deciduous or ever green tree, without aerial roots,
about 12-20 meters tall. Leaves shiny, leathery with long gradually narrow apex.
Bark grey, young twigs mostly with new pink leaves.
Flowering Period:
February - March.
Habitat:
It is planted as an avenue or roadside tree.
Uses:
The fruits are commonly eaten by birds as food and in
times of famine by human beings. The leaves and
twigs are lopped for cattle and goats. The wood is used
for packing cases and in sacrificial fires by Hindus.
Leaves and tender shoots are used as purgative and in
skin diseases. The fruit is laxative, alterative and cooling.
Distribution:
Native to TropicalAsia, introduced elsewhere.
Drier parts ofAfrica,Arabia, India, Pakistan and Iran.