Being known as `Ficus Benghalensists` to the scientists of the world, the `Banyan Tree` is amongst those trees that have very extensive branches and thus are very much capable of giving the coolest shade. According to one authority, the name `Banyan` was given to a tree growing in the Persian Gulf, under which some `Banya`s or Hindu traders had built a pagoda. This tree is a proud member of the `Moraceae` family. The Hindi speaking people call it as `Bargad`, `Bor` or `Ber`. It is known as `Ala` in Tamil, `Petal` in Malayalam and `Mart` or `Pedda-mari` in Telugu. In fact, the `Banyan tree` is such a wide one that even the people of a whole village will be able to settle under it. The origin of the `Banyan Tree` is South and West India and among the sub-Himalayan tracts but it is now found all over the country.

The `Banyan Tree` is an excellent example of what is called an epiphytic growth. Some birds that came to take rest among the leaves of a palm or other tree evict the seed of the tree. The seed germinates here after long roots appear and become thicken and strengthen very soon and ultimately strangle their host. The bark is grey in colour and soft also spotted generally as it flakes off very easily. In the grown-up trees, the trunk never forms like cylinders. Rather, it is a composition of several complex aerial roots. Some clumps of brown `rope` hang from every branch. These ropes ultimately get united and after reaching the ground, they take the root and grow into separate trunks. For this reason only, the tree widens and covers an ever-increasing area. People found one famous specimen of this tree that was reputed to have such great a perimeter of 600 m that almost 20,000 people could shelter within its columned shade.

The leaves of the `Banyan Tree` are large in size and leathery. Most of them are oval-shaped and dark, glossy green in colour. They are also noticeably pale-veined. The tree also has two large scales that cover the leaf bud. The scales fall when the leaf develops and leave a ring round the stem at the base of the leaf stalk. The young leaves of the tree have an extraordinarily gorgeous reddish shade. Though there are no flowers in the `Banyan Tree`,yet it bears some fruits. The timber of this tree is spongy and not adequately durable to create a great demand. However, the aerial roots provide stronger timber and people use them in making tent-poles. A coarse fiber can be obtained from the bark and young hanging roots, and can be used for making ropes. From the sticky, milky sap, people can make Birdlime and it posses some medicinal properties as well. Not only these, the leaves of the tree are also used as plates. A poultice can be made from the leaves that can bring relief to abscesses.