Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis): The Strangler Fig That Builds Forests

The banyan tree is one of the world's most remarkable trees, starting as an epiphyte on a host tree, sending down prop roots that become additional trunks, eventually forming a vast, multi-trunked canopy that can cover acres. Native to India, Ficus benghalensis is the national tree of India and a symbol of immortality.

Growth Habit and Ecology

Birds deposit seeds in canopy crevices. Roots descend, strangle host, become pillars. A single tree can become a forest. It needs vast space—parks, estates, campuses. In cultivation, it's a massive shade tree with leathery, elliptical leaves.

Cultural Significance

Sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism. Village councils meet under banyans. The Great Banyan in Kolkata covers 4.7 acres. Not for home gardens—only for large landscapes.

Taxonomic Profile