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Banyan Fig (aka Indian Banyan)

Ficus benghalensis

Photo by Neil Ross
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

The Banyan Fig (aka Indian Banyan) is a large evergreen tree of the Moraceae family. The characteristic "melting" appearance is due to its habit of dropping aerial roots from its branches, which upon reaching the ground thicken into supplementary trunks which help to support the weight of its crown. Individuals grow into massive trees and are considered to be amongst the largest trees in the world. Native to the Indian subcontinent where it has great cultural significance.

Habitat:

It is found in subtropical, warm temperate and dry rainforest, where, as an emergent tree, its crown may tower above the canopy, particularly along watercourses on alluvial soils. They thrive in Brisbane with its cool dry winters and hot humid summers.

Notes:

There are three large figs in this grouping, all of which provide cover for a really neat kid's playground. These are old trees, and were spotted in New Farm Park which is located in the inner-city Brisbane suburb of New Farm. The park was created in 1914.

Reference Links:

Ficus benghalensis, New Farm Park

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)
LaurenZarate
Wow, super. Such a fantastic group of trees. Banyan Fig, neat.
Neil Ross
I've learned something today, Lauren. These trees are listed as Moreton Bay Figs, and my reference was the Brisbane City Council. The 'melting' aerial roots on there are quite spectacular, but no signs of the buttress roots. I took that as gospel and saw no need to question it, and people simply refer to these trees as Moreton Bay Figs. However.... digging deeper, I find other sources that say these are Ficus benghalensis. References and image searches add weight to this, so I'm going to re-name this spotting as such - Banyan Fig. It's always good to question things, but is something I failed to do in this case.
LaurenZarate
These are remarkable Neil, don't know how I missed this one. I can't believe that they are the same tree as the one in Santa Barbara, California. This looks more like the strangler figs in the tropics, and so strange that the roots remain vertical instead of spreading outwards.
Neil Ross
These trees would be about the same age, but whereas yours has the massive buttress roots, these have the massive aerial roots. What amazing and beautiful trees they are... on both sides of the Pacific.
Ava T-B
Lovely. Here's San Diego's most famous MBF http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7702650

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
Wilds of South-East Queensland
Mission
Trees of the World
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project

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Photographed
PublishedJune 29, 2013

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