Banyan
Illustration of Ficus benghalensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Urticales Family: Moraceae Genus: Ficus Subgenus: (Urostigma)
Species
Many species, including: F. aurea F. benghalensis F. citrifolia F. macrophylla F. microcarpa F. Ficus benghalensis, also known as Bengal fig, Indian fig, East Indian fig, Indian Banyan or simply Banyan, also Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group Magnoliopsida is the Botanical name for a class of Flowering plants By definition the class will include the family Magnoliaceae, but its Urticales is a Botanical name for an order of Flowering plants. Moraceae is a family of Flowering plants commonly known as the mulberry or fig family Ficus is a Genus of about 850 Species of woody Trees Shrubs Vines Epiphytes and hemi-epiphytes in the family In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. Ficus aurea, commonly known as the Florida strangler fig (or simply strangler fig) golden fig, or higuerón, The specific Ficus benghalensis, also known as Bengal fig, Indian fig, East Indian fig, Indian Banyan or simply Banyan, also Ficus macrophylla, commonly known as the Moreton Bay Fig, is a large evergreen Banyan tree of the Moraceae family that is a native of most pertusa F. rubiginosa

A banyan is a fig that starts its life as an epiphyte when its seeds germinate in the cracks and crevices on a host tree (or on structures like buildings and bridges). The Port Jackson Fig ( Ficus rubiginosa), also known as the Little-leaf Fig or the Rusty Fig, is a native of eastern Australia and a Ficus is a Genus of about 850 Species of woody Trees Shrubs Vines Epiphytes and hemi-epiphytes in the family An epiphyte is an organism that grows upon or attaches to a living plant A seed (in some plants referred to as a kernel) is a small embryonic Plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat usually with some stored A tree is a perennial Woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or "Banyan" often refers specifically to the species Ficus benghalensis, though the term has been generalized to include all figs that share a unique life cycle, and sytematically to refer to the subgenus Urostigma^[1] The seeds of banyans are dispersed by fruit-eating birds. Ficus benghalensis, also known as Bengal fig, Indian fig, East Indian fig, Indian Banyan or simply Banyan, also In Biology, a subgenus is a Taxonomic rank directly below Genus. A frugivore is an Animal that feeds primarily or in some cases exclusively on Fruit. The seeds germinate and send down roots towards the ground, and may envelope part of the host tree or building structure with their roots, giving them the casual name of "strangler fig". The "strangling" growth habit is found in a number of tropical forest species, particularly of the genus Ficus, that compete for light. ^[2][3][4] Any Ficus species showing this habit may be termed a strangler fig.

Older banyan trees are characterized by their aerial prop roots which grow into thick woody trunks which, with age, can become indistinguishable from the main trunk. "Pneumatophore" redirects here It is also a name for the air bladder of the Portuguese Man o' War. Old trees can spread out laterally using these prop roots to cover a wide area. The largest such tree is now found in Kolkata in India. One of the most famous of banyan trees was planted in Kabirvad, Gujarat. Records show that Kabirvad is more than 300 years old. Another famous banyan tree was planted in 1873 in Lahaina's Courthouse Square in Hawai'i, and has now grown to cover two-thirds of an acre. Lahaina is the largest town and Census-designated place (CDP in West Maui Maui County, Hawaii, United States, and the gateway to the The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the

Like other Fig species (which includes the common edible fig Ficus carica), banyans have unique fruit structures and are dependent on fig wasps for reproduction. The Common fig ( Ficus carica) is a large Deciduous, Shrub or small Tree native to southwest Asia and the eastern Mediterranean Fig wasps are Wasps of the family Agaonidae which pollinate Figs or are otherwise associated with figs Banyan, Ficus benghalensis or the Indian Fig Tree is the National tree of India ^[5]. Ficus benghalensis, also known as Bengal fig, Indian fig, East Indian fig, Indian Banyan or simply Banyan, also This article is about symbols of nations Many countries it can be used for is Chantal India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country

Etymology

The name was originally given to F. benghalensis and comes from India where early travellers observed that the shade of the tree was frequented by banias or Indian traders. Ficus benghalensis, also known as Bengal fig, Indian fig, East Indian fig, Indian Banyan or simply Banyan, also India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country According to the Indian caste system, Vanika ( Sanskrit) or Bania ( Hindi, Punjabi and other Indian languages is a trader or merchant ^[6]

In the Gujarati language, banyan means "merchant", not "tree". The Portuguese picked up the word to refer specifically to Hindu merchants and passed it along to the English as early as 1599 with the same meaning. By 1634, English writers began to tell of the banyan tree, a tree under which Hindu merchants would conduct their business. The tree provided a shaded place for a village meeting or for merchants to sell their goods. Eventually banyan came to mean the tree itself. Today, the banyan is considered sacred in India and Pakistan, where it represents eternal life because of its seemingly ever-expanding branches.

Classification

Early stages of a strangler fig on a host tree in the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats ( Kannada ಸಹ್ಯಾದ್ರಿ Marathi / Konkani - सह्याद्री Sahyadri Malayalam സഹ്യപര്‍വ്വതം

The proper noun Banyan refers specifically to the species F. benghalensis, which can grow into a giant tree covering several hectares. Ficus benghalensis, also known as Bengal fig, Indian fig, East Indian fig, Indian Banyan or simply Banyan, also Explanation The hectare is commonly used in most countries around the world especially in domains concerned with land planning and management such as Agriculture, Over time, the name became generalized to all strangler figs. It appears that "banyan" is the more common term in Asia, Australia and Oceania, while "strangler fig" is more often used in the Americas and Africa. There are many banyan species, including:

• Ficus microcarpa, which is native from Sri Lanka through New Caledonia and is a significant invasive species elsewhere. Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island For the former North American fur-trading district see New Caledonia (Canada, and for the Scottish colony in Panama see Darien scheme.
• The Central American Banyan (Ficus pertusa) is native to Central America and northern South America, from southern Mexico south to Paraguay. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay ( Spanish: República del Paraguay; Guaraní: Tetã Paraguái) is one of the only
• The Shortleaf Fig (Ficus citrifolia) is native to southern Florida, the Caribbean Islands, Central America and South America south to Paraguay. Ficus citrifolia, also known as the Shortleaf Fig, Giant Bearded Fig or Wild Banyantree, is a species of Banyan native to southern Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay ( Spanish: República del Paraguay; Guaraní: Tetã Paraguái) is one of the only One theory is that the Portuguese name for F. citrofolia, "Los Barbados", gave Barbados its name. Barbados ( Portuguese word for bearded-ones, bɑrˈbeɪdoʊz -dɒs situated just east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent Island nation
• The Florida Strangler Fig (Ficus aurea) is also native to southern Florida and the Caribbean Islands, and distinguished from the above by its coarser leaf venation. Ficus aurea, commonly known as the Florida strangler fig (or simply strangler fig) golden fig, or higuerón, The specific Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting
• The Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus marcrophylla) and Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa) are other related species. The Port Jackson Fig ( Ficus rubiginosa), also known as the Little-leaf Fig or the Rusty Fig, is a native of eastern Australia and a

Ornamental Value

Due to the complex structure of the roots and extensive branching, the banyan is extensively used for creating Bonsai. Bonsai (盆栽 literally "potted plant" is the art of Aesthetic miniaturization of Trees by growing them in containers Taiwan's oldest living bonsai is a 240-year-old banyan housed in Tainan.

In culture

Religion and mythology

Ficus macrophylla in the Orto botanico di Palermo, Italy

• In Hindu religion, the banyan tree is considered sacred and is called "Ashwath Vriksha" ("I am Banyan tree among trees" - Bhagavad Gita). Ficus macrophylla, commonly known as the Moreton Bay Fig, is a large evergreen Banyan tree of the Moraceae family that is a native of most The Orto Botanico di Palermo ( Palermo Botanical Garden) is both a Botanic garden and a research and educational institution forming part of and managed by the Department Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical It represents eternal life because of its seemingly ever-expanding branches.
• In Hindu mythology, the banyan tree is also called kalpavriksha meaning 'wish fulfilling divine tree'. A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical Kalpavriksha ( Devanagari: कल्पवृक्ष is a mythological wish-fulfilling divine tree that is a common trope in Sanskrit literature In modern parlance in the Hindi language, it is known as Bargad, Vatavriksh, and Barh. Hindi ( Devanāgarī: hi [[wiktहिन्दी हिन्दी]] or hi [[wiktहिंदी हिंदी]] IAST:, IPA:) is
• In many stories of Philippine Mythology, the banyan, (locally known as balite) is said to be home to a variety of spirits and demon-like creatures (among the Visayans, specifically, dili ingon nato,meaning "things not like us"). Philippine mythology and folklore include a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities Maligno (Mystical creatures) associated with it include the kapre (a giant), dwende (dwarves), and especially the tikbalang (a creature whose top half is a horse and whose bottom half is a human). Kapre (related to the Agta in the Visayan dialect is a Philippine mythical creature that could be characterized as a tree demon but with more Tikbalang (also written Tigbalang, Tigbalan, or Tikbalan) is a creature of Philippine folklore said to lurk in the mountains and forests of the ^[7]
• In Guam, 'Chamorro people believe in tales of taotaomona, duendes and other spirits. Guam ( Chamorro: cha Guåhån) officially the Territory of Guam, is an island in the western Pacific Ocean and is an organized unincorporated "Chamoru" redirects here For the language see Chamorro language. Taotao Mona ( Chamorro: "people before history" or "ancient people" are Ancestor spirits believed to haunt the mountains and wild places of the A duende is a Fairy - or Goblin -like mythological character While its nature varies throughout Spain, Portugal and Spanish-speaking America Taotaomona are spirits of the ancient Chamorro that act as guardians to banyan trees. ^[8]

Locations

Banyan of undetermined species in Fort Myers, Florida

• City of Vadodara in western India is named after Banyan Tree. Fort Myers is the County seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country
• Ta Prohm in the Angkor Wat temple complex of Cambodia is well known for the giant banyans that grow up, around and through its walls. Ta Prohm ( Khmer: ប្រាសាទតាព្រហ្ម is the modern name of a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built in the Bayon style Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) (អង្គរវត្ត is a Temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for King Suryavarman II The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East
• Several banyans can be found near downtown Hilo, Hawaii. Some of them were planted by celebrities throughout the 20th century and form the Banyan Drive. Banyan Drive, Hilo, Hawaii, is also known as the "Hilo Walk of Fame
• Strangler figs also occur in areas of Australia such as the Daintree rainforest in Queensland's far north. Tropical North Queensland is general term referring to varying regions of the northern part of the Australian state of Queensland. Well known is the Curtain Fig Tree on the Atherton Tablelands. The Curtain Fig Tree is one of the largest trees in Tropical North Queensland, Australia, and one of the best known attractions on the Atherton Tableland The Atherton Tableland is a fertile plateau which is part of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland, Australia.
• The first banyan tree in the U. S. was planted by Thomas Alva Edison in Fort Myers, Florida. Fort Myers is the County seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. It was given to Edison by Harvey Firestone after Firestone visited India in 1925 and was planted in the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Harvey Samuel Firestone ( December 20 1868 &ndash February 7, 1938) was the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, The Edison and Ford Winter Estates contain a historical Museum and 17 acre (6 The tree, originally only 4 feet (1. 2 m) tall, now covers 400 feet (120 m).

Fiction

• Robinson Crusoe, in the 1719 novel by Daniel Defoe makes his home in a banyan tree. The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (of York Mariner Who lived Eight and Twenty Years all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the Coast of America near the Mouth Daniel Defoe (1659/1661 — April 24, 1731 was an English Writer, Journalist, and Pamphleteer, who gained enduring fame for
• Brian Aldiss, in his novel Hothouse, describes a future Earth where a single huge banyan covers half of the globe, because individual trees discover the ability to join together, as well as drop adventitious roots. Brian Wilson Aldiss, '''OBE''', (born August 18, 1925 in East Dereham, Norfolk, England) is a prolific English
• On the Steely Dan album "Aja", the title track includes the lyrics: "Chinese music under banyan trees / Here at the dude ranch above the sea"
• In Stephen R. Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, he describes the giant tree-city of Revelwood being built out of a huge banyan with multiple trunks that occupies an entire valley. Stephen Reeder Donaldson (born May 13, 1947 in Cleveland Ohio) is an American fantasy, Science fiction and mystery The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever is a trilogy of Fantasy novels by Stephen R

Other

The coat of arms of Indonesia

• The banyan is part of the coat of arms of Indonesia. The Coat of Arms of Indonesia is called Garuda Pancasila. The main part of the coat of arms is the Garuda with a shield on its chest and The Coat of Arms of Indonesia is called Garuda Pancasila. The main part of the coat of arms is the Garuda with a shield on its chest and It is meant to symbolise the unity of Indonesia - one country with many far-flung roots. The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia.
• Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy personnel use the term "banyan" to mean a spell ashore for a BBQ on some deserted beach. "Banyan Rig" denotes the casual (and often traditionally tasteless) clothes worn for these events.
• The underground roots of a banyan species found in the Amazon are cut into 10 cm lengths, dried and smoked regularly to relieve pain. This practice originated in the Amazon. There are no visible side effects.

References

In reliogion and mythology section, it has been mentioned that banyan is also called as ashwaththa vriksha but, this is not entirely correct. ashwaththa vriksha is frequenctly used to refer to ficus religiosa ('Arali mara' in Kannada)and not a banyan tree even though banyan tree is also a sacred tree. We also use small twigs of ficus religiosa in certain "homa" (havan); They are called samidhas.

External links

• 360° panoramic photo of Banyan tree
• Stranglers and Banyans, palomar. edu
• Plant Cultures: Banyan tree history and botany, plantcultures. org. uk