Main site sections:
Plants section links:

Location

  • San Diego Zoo

Species Collection

Bloom time (approximate):

  • Autumn

Plants: Species

Fig (Ficus): Banyan Tree, or Bengal or Indian Fig Ficus benghalensis

FAMILY: MORACEAE (Mulberry Family)

In India and Pakistan, banyan trees Ficus benghalensis grow to colossal sizes and are considered sacred. In fact, one of the banyan's cultivars is known as Krishna's butter-cup.

In spite of the tree's enormous full-grown size, it starts out as an epiphyte, growing in a treetop with air and light and rain for food, and then makes its way down trunks to become a tree on its own.