Ficus religiosa L.

അരയാല്‍

Family : Moraceae

Synonym : Ficus peepul Griff.

Common Names : Arayaal, Peepal tree, Sacred fig, Bodhivriksham

Flowering 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 Characters :

Ficus religiosa 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.