Nature Diary
Peepal Tree

It is also called the Bodhi tree, because it was supposedly under this tree that Gautama Buddha meditated and discovered Buddhism. It belongs to the fig family and its official name is ficus religiosa.
The tree is found all over India. It is a largely dry season tree and can grow really tall, up to 30 m high. (Have you eer wondered how the tree can suck water from its roots to such a height?!)
The leaves have a characteristic pointed end called cordate in shape and it can be recognised by this shape and the distinctive pointed tip. They can be 10-17 cm long and almost as broad, with a long stalk that attaches the leaf to the stem. When small the leaves are pinkish and beautiful, changing to copper and then finally to green.
Surprisingly this tree has no flowers! In fact, banyan, peepul and fig all don't flower! The The fruit are small figs, just about 1 cm in diameter, green when raw and purple when ripe. They grow in pairs just below the leaves, looking like round berries and the flowers are hidden inside. The flowers are pollinated by the female fig wasp through a small opening. The fig wasp comes in many varieties for each of the 500 or so different types of figs. The wasp lays its eggs inside the fig and dies there. When the eggs hatch, they come out, and in the process, pollinate the flower! The fruity bits of the berry grow afterwards.
These are among the oldest trees in the world and are also long-lived. Isn't it amazing that they survive and propagate by such a unique and rare process!
The trees fruit all the year round so they are good for birds and monkeys. This tree is also a good oxygen source and is often planted near public places, parks and temples. It is used in traditional medicine for many disorders including asthma, gastric disorders, etc. It is also used as an ornamental tree.