Banyan tree is the national tree of India. Today I am sharing history and reason behind the name.
Banyan tree is a natural growing tree that easily grows through the India and it is the Indian national tree. It is also known as “banian” and bargad tree in Hindi language. It is international tree of India.
Banyan tree information
It is a fig that grows on another plant when the seed of banyan germinates in a crack of the host tree or edifice. The Banyan tree depends on the fig wasp for the pollination process. To know the pollination process in detail click the given link and plant pollination process information will open in front of you.
Old banyan tree - older banyan tree has aerial roots or aerial prop roots. Aerial roots are roots above the ground.
Plant description
Fruit name - Banyan tree fruit name in English language is “syconium”. This syconium is responsible for supplying shelter and food for fig wasps.
Leaf - The tree leaves are large in size and they are leathery, glossy and green. Moreover, leaf buds are covered by two large scales. Young banyan leaves have reddish tinge that looks attractive.
Ficus benghalensis
Banyan specifically denotes ficus benghalensis. Ficus benghalensis commonly known as Indian Banyan, banyan fig and banyan. Banyan tree is native to India and it is the largest tree by canopy cover in the world. It is also known as strangler fig because it grows on the surface of other plants and derives its moisture and nutrients from air, rain, water.
Banyan tree and fig tree
Do not get confused with fig tree. Ficus is a genus of nearly 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, and vines in the family of moraceae. These are collectively known as fig trees or fig. Anjeer is also known as a fig tree that produces edible fruit and is used as an ornamental plant. It is a species of small tree in the flowering plant family moraceae.
However, fig tree farming has been done since ancient times and now it is cultivated in most of the places and when we say fig farming it means anjeer farming.
Banyan tree name history
Banyan tree is a fig that begins its life span as an epiphyte which means such plants that grow on another plants. Basically the seed germinates in the cracks of a host tree and the tree life starts from there.
This tree is also called ficus benghalensis, banyan or banyan fig. The name of banian tree was originally given to F. benghalensis that comes from India. European travelers observed that the shade of the tree was not stable meaning it was frequent that comes and goes. Baniya is a community of Indian traders mostly lives in Gujarat region, european traveller found the shade as corruption of baniyas that was not stable thus they named it banyan tree.
Myths
Vietnam - According to Vietnamese mythology, the dark markings on the moon are symbols of the banyan tree. It is a magical tree originally planted by a man called cuoi.
There is a short story behind it, when this man's wife was watering the plant with unclean water, then suddenly the tree uprooted itself with hanging the man on it and flew to the moon. It is believed that the man lives there forever with the moon lady and Jade rabbit.
Bangladesh - Banyan trees are called bod gach in Bangladesh and the places or houses are considered as haunted places or haunted houses where banyan trees grow. Moreover, they believe that the banyan tree has some devil spirits and jinns inside them. According to Bangladeshi people you will get cursed if you cut down this tree.
India - In Hinduism banyan tree is related to worship and the leaf of the banyan tree are used in temples.
History and facts
Thimmamma Marrimanu - This species is found in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. This 550 years old banyan tree is present in the botanical gardens of India.
The Great banyan tree - It is a big tree and one of the largest banyan trees that is found in Kolkata, India. This tree is 250 years old and covers an area of 4.67 acres.
Dodda Alada Mara tree - It is found in the village of Ramohalli, outer area of Bangalore. It is spread in an area of 2.5 acre. It is a big banyan tree Bangalore.
The lolani palace banayan - It is in honolulu, Hawaii. It is said that in 1980s queen kapiolani planted two banyan trees in the lolani palace grounds.
