{"slug":"ficus-benghalensis","scientific_name":"Ficus benghalensis","common_names":["Banyan","Indian banyan","Bargad","Vata"],"family":"Moraceae","type":"broadleaf_evergreen","mature_height_m":25,"mature_spread_m":40,"growth_rate":"fast","lifespan_years":500,"hardiness_zones":[10,12],"sun":"full_partial","water":"low","soil":"Clay, loam or sand of neutral pH with good drainage; tolerant of most soils","native_range":"Native to the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Laccadives); planted throughout the tropics.","description":"The national tree of India, an evergreen fig to around 30 m whose branches drop aerial roots that thicken into extra trunks, so one tree can spread over hectares (the Great Banyan in Kolkata is the most famous). It shades village meetings, markets and temples and feeds birds, bats and monkeys with its red figs. It starts life as an epiphyte and can kill its host and wreck buildings, so it belongs only in large open spaces.","care":"Plant far from structures, drains and paving; minimal watering once established and it tolerates drought. No pruning beyond removing hazardous limbs; aerial roots can be guided or cut. Sap irritates skin. Mealybugs, scale and spider mites are minor. In Florida it is noted as a serious weed though not on the FISC list.","benefits":["shade","birds","wildlife","long_lived","drought_tolerant","fast_canopy"],"uses":["parks","yard_shade"],"cautions":["large_roots","surface_roots","heavy_litter","invasive_elsewhere"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Great_banyan_tree_kol.jpg","image_credit":"Wikimedia Commons, file Great_banyan_tree_kol.jpg (see file page for author and licence)","sources":["https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-benghalensis/","https://apps.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/AFTPDFS/Ficus_benghalensis.PDF","https://www.gbif.org/species/5361919"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/ficus-benghalensis","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/ficus-benghalensis.md","regions":[{"country":"BD","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361919"},{"country":"IN","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":"National tree of India","source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361919"},{"country":"LK","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361919"},{"country":"NP","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361919"},{"country":"PK","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361919"},{"country":"AU","region":"QLD","locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Introduced per WCVP","source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361919"},{"country":"MM","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Introduced per WCVP","source_url":"https://www.gbif.org/species/5361919"},{"country":"US","region":"FL","locality":null,"status":"adapted","note":"Introduced; NC State Extension notes it is a serious weed in Florida but it is not on the FISC 2025 list","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ficus-benghalensis/"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}