Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree)

Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with grey trunk and green leaves, a massive tree.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) reaching upward with a dense canopy of thick green foliage.

Botanical names: Ficus benghalensis, Ficus indica

Common name: Banyan Tree

Family: Moraceae

Origin: South Asia

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 10b-11?

USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge tree taller than 20 ftSemi-shadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryEthnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Seaside, salt tolerant plant

Ficus benghalensis, commonly known as Banyan Tree or Indian Banyan, is a massive evergreen tree in the Moraceae family native to the Indian subcontinent. Renowned as India's national tree, it is one of the largest canopy-forming trees in the world. Mature specimens produce numerous aerial roots that descend from the branches, eventually thickening into pillar-like trunks that support the expanding crown. Over time, a single tree can spread across several acres, creating the appearance of an entire grove. Its large, leathery leaves and impressive architecture make it one of the most iconic tropical trees.

Small fig-like fruits ripen from green to red and provide an important food source for birds and other wildlife. Ficus benghalensis grows best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with regular moisture, although established trees tolerate seasonal drought. Hardy in USDA Zones 10-12, it is widely planted as a shade and landscape tree in tropical and subtropical regions, while young plants are also popular as container specimens and bonsai subjects. Revered for centuries in Hinduism and Buddhism, the banyan symbolizes longevity, strength, and shelter, and many ancient trees remain important cultural and community landmarks.

Similar plants: Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree)

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Image gallery: 26 images
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) cluster of red fruit on a branch in close up.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) showing a cluster of round red fruit among large green leaves.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) tan tree showing massive aerial roots and thick green leaves
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with thick tan aerial roots connecting to branches and green leaves
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with green leaves and tan trunk in a large plant structure
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with thick tan aerial roots hanging from heavy green foliage branches
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with thick grey bark and sprawling roots, a massive woody tree.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with thick grey bark and wide roots covering the bare ground.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with its wide green leaves and thick light grey trunk tree.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with dense green leaves and a thick, woody trunk structure.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with red fruit and green yellow leaves on a tree branch.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with its round red fruit and mix of green yellow leaves.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with red fruit and green leaves on branches close up
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) branch densely covered in round red fruit among wide green leaves.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) red fruit on a branch with smooth wide green leaves
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) red fruit sits upon a thick woody stem among wide leaves.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with grey trunk and green leaves, a massive mature tree.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with extensive aerial roots hanging from wide spreading thick heavy branches.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with green leaves and light grey bark on tree branches.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with green foliage and light grey branches reaching out in sunlight.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) dark green leaves close up with visible yellow veins and stem
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) large, leathery, dark green leaf with thick, yellow primary veins.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with thick tan branches and broad green oval plant leaves.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) showing thick tan stems and large broad green oval-shaped foliage.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with green leaves and small red fruit on a tree
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with many broad green leaves and round red fruit on branches.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with round red fruit and green leaves in close up view.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) showing round red fruit nestled among smooth wide green leaves on branches.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with light tan bark and thick green canopy tree image.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with massive trunk and reaching branches laden with many green leaves.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) green leaves close up showing waxy surface and visible light veins.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) dense foliage showing oval leaves with smooth edges and clear vein lines.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with round red fruit and thick green leaves, close up.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) branches carry clusters of small round red fruit and wide leaves.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) green leaves on a plant trunk in the ground.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) showing thick, waxy oval green leaves on a sturdy woody trunk.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with grey trunk and green leaves, a massive mature tree.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) displaying a complex network of aerial roots beneath a wide green canopy.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with thick green leaves and round red fruit on the plant.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) dense canopy with broad green foliage and small rounded red fruit clusters.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) gray trunks with green canopy foliage tree, wide reaching roots
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with thick gray trunks, aerial roots, and dense green canopy leaves.
Ficus benghalensis, planted in 1927 as a sapling circa and the Thomas Alva Edison statue.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with grey trunks and green leaves in dense plant cluster
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with thick grey trunks and deep green leaves spreading overhead
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with green leaves and small red fruit on a large tree
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) stands tall with green foliage and numerous small red fruit hanging down.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) red fruit on tree branches close up
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) clusters of round red fruit among large green leaves
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with round red fruit and thick green leaves on branches
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) branches carry dense clusters of red fruit amidst thick green foliage
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with massive green canopy and hanging aerial roots tree.
Ficus benghalensis (Banyan Tree) with sprawling foliage and long roots hanging from thick branches.


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