Scientific name: Ficus religiosa L.

Familya: Moraceae

Synonym: Urostigma religiosum (L.) Gasp.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Ashwath, Pipul, Dharma bot (Bengali); Pan bot (Dhaka-Mymensingh).

Tribal name: Gitingbel, Phrap thi brong (Garo); Robang (Pangkhoa); Bothei-bawn, Vathai-apang (Rakhaing); Bathi (Marma).

English name: Peepal, Bo-tree, Peepul tree.

Description of the plant: A large or medium-sized deciduous tree, up to 20 m tall. Trunk with spreading branches, usually without prop roots. Leaves simple, alternate, very long petioled, petioles up to 11 cm long, leaf blade ovate, 6-18 cm long, entire, apex abruptly long acuminate, acumen nearly half as long as the blade, young leaves copper-red to pink. Hypanthodium subsessile, in axillary pairs, yellowish-green when young, apical orifice is closed by 3 apical bracts. Figs depressed-globose, dark purple when ripe.

Ficus religiosa

Plant parts used: Bark.

Medicinal uses: Paste prepared from bark and adding 5 ml honey then taken for the treatment of rheumatism.

Bark extract is taken to treat diarrhoea, dysentery.

Distribution: Usually planted as an avenue and shed tree by the road side, village markets, Hindu and Buddist temples throughout the country and found in most of the districts.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….

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