Ithi

Planted in the memory of Subash Chandra Bose on the occassion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav

Overview & Habitat

Ficus microcarpa, commonly referred to as the Chinese banyan, Malayan banyan, Indian laurel, Curtain fig, or Gajumaru, is native to Southeast Asia and Australasia.
Its current range extends far beyond its origins, found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, from cityscapes in Florida to rural areas in India.
The tree belongs to the Moraceae family and is known for its aggressive growth.
It often colonizes spaces where other trees struggle to thrive.

Ficus microcarpa resembles many other figs, massive and imposing, with a trunk that appears almost sculpted.
Its bark is smooth, light grey, and can appear eerie when illuminated by urban streetlights.
The tree grows between 10 to 15 m in height, but can reach up to 30 m in optimal conditions.
Aerial roots cascade down from its branches, eventually embedding into the ground and forming a dense, impenetrable matrix.
Over time, these roots fuse with the main trunk, giving the tree a multi-stemmed appearance.
The leaves are glossy, dark green, and elliptic, growing up to 10 cm in length.
The shiny foliage contrasts with the dry, dusty environments where the tree thrives, highlighting its hardiness.

The flowers of Ficus microcarpa are not typical, utilizing a unique pollination strategy called syconium.
It produces a small, enclosed inflorescence, or syconium, that resembles a fruit more than a flower.
This syconium invites the fig wasp, Eupristina verticillata, into the pollination process, ensuring the tree’s reproductive cycle continues.

Once pollinated, the syconium matures into a small, fleshy fig, which is about 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter.
The figs turn from green to a purplish hue when ripe, and although not particularly attractive to humans, they are a vital food source for birds, bats, and other animals that help spread its seeds.

Ficus microcarpa belongs to the large genus Ficus and the Moraceae family, which includes figs and mulberries.
The species name microcarpa is derived from Greek, meaning ‘small fruit,’ describing its modest-sized figs.
Ficus species have a symbiotic relationship with specific wasp pollinators, crucial for seed production.
This wasp-fig interaction dates back millions of years, highlighting the complexity of their life cycle.

Ficus microcarpa is more than just a fixture in urban landscapes; its uses are wide-ranging.
Historically, its bark and roots have been used in traditional medicine, particularly in Asia, where it’s believed to have properties beneficial for respiratory ailments and skin diseases.
In modern settings, Ficus microcarpa is primarily used as an ornamental tree due to its dense foliage and rapid growth, making it a favored choice for urban planners seeking shade and greenery.
It is also a popular candidate for bonsai, known for its resilience and ability to thrive in constrained environments.
In some regions, particularly in the United States, Ficus microcarpa has earned a reputation as an invasive species, with roots notorious for breaking through pavement, damaging underground pipes, and overwhelming native flora.

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