Ficus religiosa

Ficus religiosa is a large, semi-evergreen tree that originates from Southeast Asia. The trunk is a very light gray, and it is not uniform in shape, but rather is quite sculpted. The large, heart-shaped leaves end in a drip tip. Like all ficuses, the tree sheds its leaves at the end of the spring, flowers and immediately afterward blooms again. In colder areas, it sheds its leaves earlier. Before it sheds its leaves, they turn golden brown. The tree’s foliage is glossy. The tree bears figs. Ficus religiosa’s figs are very small and are burgundy-purple. The fruit is soft and juicy and is very messy on the ground beneath. The tree is sensitive to extreme cold conditions but is resistant to the heat and dryness in Israel. Accordingly, it will thrive in all areas of the country except for mountains and high mountains. It is suited for all soil types except for saline and chalky. Its roots are very invasive, as with all ficuses. It casts a very heavy shadow, which does not encourage the growth of small plants beneath it. It requires relatively little watering. It grows very quickly, but it is still strong and extremely long-lived: some specimens are 900–1,500 years old, and there are even reports of some that are 2,000–3,000 years old!

Interestingly, its name was given because it is considered to be of religious significance in three of the major religions found in the Indian subcontinent: Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, whose adherents mediate beneath it because they believe it is connected to enlightenment. It is frequently planted around temples. It also has various uses in folk medicine in that region.

Additional trees from the same family:
Ficus benjamina | Ficus microcarpa | Ficus sycomorus | Ficus carica | Ficus rubiginosa | Ficus macrophylla (magnolioides) | Ficus binnendijkii | Ficus religiosa | Ficus benghalensis | Ficus palmata | Ficus barteri Sprague | Ficus lyrata