Indian banyan

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bengal banyan
• Bengal fig
• East Indian figtree
• Indian banyan
• banyan
• banyantree
• horn fig

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Perula benghalensis
• Urostigma bengalense var. cordifolium
• Ficus lancifolia
• Ficus lasiophylla
• Urostigma bengalense
• Ficus karet
• Ficus chauvieri
• Ficus banyana
• Ficus cotoneifolia
• Ficus cotonifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Ficus benghalenensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Rosales and the family Moraceae. It is further identified by its genus, Ficus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several island territories. In the Middle Atlantic Ocean, it can be found on the island of St. Helena. Its presence extends into the Western Indian Ocean, where it inhabits the Chagos Archipelago. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed among the islands of Mauritius and Réunion. Finally, its range includes the island of Rodrigues within the same oceanic region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ficus benghalensis is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal spectrum, allowing it to occupy diverse topographical niches. It is primarily found in lowland regions, with a minimum elevation starting at 0 m AMSL, but it demonstrates significant adaptability by extending its habitat into higher terrains. The species maintains a maximum elevational range of up to 1200 m AMSL, showcasing its resilience to varying atmospheric pressures and temperature gradients. On average, the plant is most frequently encountered at a mean elevation of 302.5 m AMSL, a level that likely represents its optimal ecological zone for growth and reproduction within its natural distribution.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

302.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ficus benghalensis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist and grow over many decades, often reaching massive proportions. As an evergreen species, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, providing a constant canopy that supports its complex structural development. This continuous greenery is a hallmark of its lifecycle, as it does not undergo a seasonal shedding of leaves, ensuring uninterrupted photosynthetic activity and a stable habitat for various symbiotic organisms.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ficus benghalensis is characterized by its massive growth form as a large, woody tree that can reach an impressive average height of approximately 25 m. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber or a vine. While some members of its genus exhibit epiphytic tendencies, this species is fundamentally terrestrial and grows as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship with its host. Its structure is defined by a robust, woody composition that supports its substantial stature and expansive canopy.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ficus benghalensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation through the enzyme Rubisco during the Calvin cycle, typical of most woody dicotyledonous trees. This metabolic strategy allows the plant to thrive in diverse environments, though it remains sensitive to high photorespiration rates under intense heat. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules or symbiotic associations with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive, often aerial, root systems to support its massive biomass and metabolic demands.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ficus benghalenis is characterized by a complex biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insect interactions. The reproductive process results in the production of fleshy fruits, which serve as a key component in its life cycle. The seeds produced are highly consistent in their physical dimensions, maintaining a uniform seed volume with a minimum, maximum, and mean value of 0.28 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds exhibit very slight variations, with a minimum mass of 1.19 g, a maximum mass of 1.1905 g, and a mean seed mass of approximately 1.19025 g. This combination of fleshy fruit development and insect-mediated pollination ensures the successful dispersal and propagation of the species.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

1.1905 g

Seed mass mean:

1.19025 g

Seed mass min:

1.19 g

Seed volume max:

0.28 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ficus benghalensis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Pharmacognosy magazine
2. Journal de mycologie medicale

Stem

1. BioMed research international

Chemicals

Ficus benghalensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include AFLATOXINS, Carpachromene.

AFLATOXINS

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Carpachromene

1. BioMed research international

Conditions

Ficus benghalensis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum, wounds.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Experimental parasitology

Wounds

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Ficus benghalensis has 13 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 70% ethanol (maceration), 99% ethanol (Soxhlet-extraction), aqueous extract, carpachromene, coarse powder.

70% ethanol (maceration)

1. Chinese herbal medicines

99% ethanol (soxhlet-extraction)

1. Chinese herbal medicines

Aqueous extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Carpachromene

1. BioMed research international

Coarse powder

1. Chinese herbal medicines

Crude extract

1. BioMed research international

Ethyl acetate

1. Experimental parasitology

Hydroalcoholic extract

1. Chinese herbal medicines

Individual leaf extracts

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Latex

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry