Ficus benghalensis

Ficus benghalensis, with the common name Indian banyan, বট (baut) in Bengali and वट वृक्ष/बरगद in Hindi, is a tree which is native to the Indian Subcontinent. Specimens in India are among the largest trees in the world by canopy coverage.

Other names

Ficus benghalensis is also known as the 'Bengal fig' and 'Indian fig'. In Bengali language, it is known as baut (pronounced as bawt or bɒt). In Nepal, it is known as Bar or Var (वर्) and is very commonly paired with Ficus religiosa (commonly known as Peepul/Badla (पीपल/बड़ला)) to make Chautaris (चौतारी) to sit and rest on (in popular intersections and locations). In Telugu, it is known as marri chettu (మఱ్ఱి చెట్టు).In Tamil, it is known as aalamaram (ஆலமரம்). Sanskrit names include nyagrodha and vata. In Kannada it is known as aalada mara. In Malayalam it is known as aalmaram or Peraal and in Punjabi it is known as bodha.

Ecology

Ficus benghalensis produces propagating roots which grow downwards as aerial roots. Once these roots reach the ground they grow into woody trunks.