Can i get a project on autobiography of banyan tree?
Answers
National Tree
Name: Banyan
Scientific Name: Ficus benghalensis
The national tree of a country is one of the symbols of pride that is integral to the nation’s identity. To be considered as such, the tree must hold tremendous cultural significance that echoes through the country’s psyche. Being native to that country adds to the privileged status of the tree to be considered as a national symbol. The national tree is an instrument of projecting certain philosophical or spiritual values, which reside at the core of the country’s heritage.
Distribution ;
Banyan trees are found all over tropical and sub-tropical parts of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. They represent the largest trees in the world by canopy coverage. They occur in forest, rural as well as urban areas of the country. They often use the branches of big trees or fissures within rocks as support, ultimately taking over by destroying the supporting host. In urban areas they grow on the sides of buildings with the roots penetrating the walls and are called stranglers.
The largest banyan tree in India resides at the Indian Botanical Garden in Shibpur, Howrah in West Bengal. It is around 25 m tall and the canopy cover is around 420 m with over 2000 aerial roots.
Description ;
Banyan trees are one of the largest trees in the world and grow up to 20-25 m with branches spreading up to 100 m. it has a massive trunk that has smooth greyish brown bark and is fluted. They have very powerful roots that can penetrate very hard surfaces like concrete and even stones sometimes. Older banyan trees are characterized by emergence of aerial prop roots that are thin and fibrous when new, but develop into thick branchlike appearance once they are old and firmly rooted onto the soil. These aerial prop roots offer support to the huge canopy of the tree. The banyan tree generally grows around an existing tree for initial support and drives it roots within it. As the banyan tree matures, the mesh of roots exerts tremendous pressure on the support tree, it eventually dies and the remains rot away leaving a hollow central column inside the main tree trunk. Leaves are thick and stout with small petioles. The leaf buds are covered by two lateral scales which fall off when the leaf matures. The leaves are glabrous on the upper surface and covered in small, fine, stiff hairs on the underside. Shape of the leaf lamina is coriaceous, ovate or orb ovate to elliptic. Dimensions of the leaves are about 10-20 cm in length and 8-15 cm in breadth. The flowers grow within a special type of inflorescence called Hypanthodium that is characteristic of Fig family trees. It is sort of a receptacle which encloses both the male and the female flowers with an opening on top known as the ostioles. The fruits of the banyan trees are types of figs that are globose to depressed-globose, 15-2.5 cm in diameter and pinkish-red in color, with some external hairs present.
Propagation and Cultivation ;
The banyan tree is propagated through small birds which ingest the figs and excrete the undigested seeds. The tree begins its life as an epiphyte and often uses other mature trees as hosts. Banyan tree is propagated primarily by root tip cuttings or the eye cuttings. Initially they demand high moisture content, but once established, these trees are drought resistant. The plant may be grown indoors in a much smaller scale by a special method known as the Bonsai.
Economic value ;
The fruits are edible and nutritious. They are also used to soothe skin irritations and alleviate swelling. The bark and leaf extracts are used to arrest bleeding. Infusion of the leaf buds are used to treat chronic diarrhea/dysentery. Few drops of the latex help relieve bleeding piles. Young banyan tree roots are used to treat female sterility. Use of the aerial roots to clean teeth helps prevent gum and teeth problems. Application of the latex is beneficial for curing rheumatism, joint pain and lumbago, as well as to heal sores and ulcers. Infusion of barks is used to relieve nausea. The banyan tree is known to produce shellac which is used as a surface polisher and adhesive. It is produced primarily by lac producing insects that reside in the banyan tree. The milk sap is used to polish metals such as brass or copper. The wood is often used as firewood.