Ficus religiosa

Name and publication

Ficus religiosa L., Sp. Pl. 2:1059 (1753).

Description

Leaves, often skeletonized, of the peepultree, are sold in the potpourri trade as “pipul leaves” or “skeleton leaves.” The leaves are poplar-like, glabrous (hairless), bearing a terminal narrow projection or tail (a drip tip which guides heavy rain from the leaf) sometimes more than half the length of the remainder of the blade, which is round-ovate with a truncate or subcordate base, margins entire, 10-17 cm long x 8-12 cm wide; petiole (when present) 6-10 cm long and slender.

Nativity and distribution

Ficus religiosa is native to Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Family

Moraceae