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From southern Asia, the banyan is outstanding for its aerial roots,
which descend from the branches to the ground and eventually form
secondary trunks.
An old tree, though reaching only about 70 ft (21 m) in height, can
spread widely enough to shelter an entire village. The banyan has
pale gray bark, large dark green leaves and round red figs borne in
pairs.
Cultivation: Figs grow to great heights in gardens and most species
have vigorous, invasive root systems.
Many make excellent container and house plants when young.
Figs prefer full sun to part-shade and humus-rich, moist but
well-drained soil.
Water potted specimens sparingly.
Propagate from seed or cuttings, or by aerial layering.
Medicinal Uses and Properties: It is astringent to bowels; useful in
treatment of biliousness, ulcers, erysipelas, vomiting, vaginal
complains, fever, inflammations, leprosy. its latex is aphrodisiac,
tonic, vulernary, maturant, lessens inflammations; useful in piles,
nose-diseases, gonorrhea etc. The aerial root is styptic, useful in
syphilis, biliousness, dysentery, inflammation of liver etc. |
