Some extracts from Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_fig
The *Sacred Fig* (*Ficus religiosa*) or *Bo-Tree* (from the Sinhala<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinhala_language> *bo*)[1] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_fig#cite_note-0> is a species<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species>of banyan <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan> fig<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fig>native to India <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India>, Nepal<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal>, Sri Lanka <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka>, southwest China<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China>and Indochina <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochina> east to Vietnam<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam>. It is known by a wide range of local names, such as *Bo* or *pou* , *bawdi*or *bawdi nyaung* in Burmese language<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese_language> *, Bodhi (โพธิ์)* (in Thai Language<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Language>, though pronounced *Po*), *Pipal* (*peepal, peepul, pippala, pimpal*, etc.), *arasa maram* or *Ashvastha <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashvastha>* tree. It is a large dry season <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_season>-deciduous<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deciduous>or semi- evergreen <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen> tree<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree>up to 30 m <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M> tall and with a trunk<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_trunk>diameter of up to 3 m. The Bodhi tree <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhi_tree> and the Sri Maha Bodhi <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Maha_Bodhi> propagated from it are famous specimens of Sacred Fig. The known planting date of the latter, 288 BC <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/288_BC>, gives it the oldest verified age for any angiosperm <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowering_plant> plant. This plant is considered sacred by the followers of Hinduism<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism>, Jainism <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism> and Buddhism<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism>, and hence the name 'Sacred Fig' was given to it. Siddhartha Gautama<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhartha_Gautama>is referred to have been sitting underneath a Bo-Tree when he was enlightened <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhi> (Bodhi), or "awakened" (Buddha). Thus, the Bo-Tree is well-known symbol for happiness, prosperity, longevity and good luck. Today in India, Hindu Sadhus<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhu>still meditate below this tree, and in Theravada Buddhist <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada_Buddhist> Southeast Asia<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asia>, the tree's massive trunk is often the site of Buddhist and animist shrines. 2009/1/25 figtree <[email protected]> > > Just using scientific description- the leaves are petiolate, petioles > long , leaves heart shaped, acuminate- with long pointed tip. > > On Jan 24, 7:06 pm, Anand Kumar Bhatt <[email protected]> wrote: > > Peepal has a long leaf which is pointed and long at the end. The result > is > > that the slightest breeze moves it and the leaves make that typical > sound. > > That is why in Sanskrit it is also called CHALDAL > > i HAVE NOT TRIED IT BUT IF you let it rot in water it has the web of > veins > > left, which is often used in greeting;cards. > > akbhatt > > On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 3:39 PM, dhaivat hathi <[email protected] > >wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > *Local Gujarati Name - પિપળો* > > > ** > > > *Local English Name - Peepal* > > > ** > > > *Botanical name - Ficus religiosa* > > > > > *Details - Scared tree for Hindus and Buddhhists.. Long living tree, > over > > > 1000 years.. Fruits are eaten by birds and bats, leaves used to feed > camels > > > and elephants.. Home of lacks of insects so again very useful to birds > like > > > Flycatchers.. * > > > our sourse of Information is *Trees of India - Oxfort Uni Press* > > > > > -- > > > Have a nice time, > > > Regards, > > > Dhaivat & Rajdeep.. > > > > > "Monitor alone uses more than half of computer's total power. I choose > to > > > switch off the monitor everytime I take a break." > > > > > Save a tree - please do not print this email unless you really need to. > > > > -- > > Anand Kumar Bhatt > > A-59, B.S.F.Colony, Airport Road > > Gwalior. 474 005. > > Tele: 0751-247 2233. Mobile 0 94253 09780.- Hide quoted text - > > > > - Show quoted text - > > > -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
