Changes

| binomial = ''Ficus religiosa''

| binomial = ''Ficus religiosa''

| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]

| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]

}}

}}  

The '''Sacred Fig''' ''Ficus religiosa'', also known as '''Bo''' (from the [[Sinhalese]] Bo), '''Peepal''' (Pipal, Peepul) or '''Ashwattha''' tree, is a species of [[banyan]] [[fig]] native to [[Nepal]] and [[India]], southwest [[China]] and [[Indochina]] east to [[Vietnam]]. It is a large [[dry season]]-[[deciduous]] or semi-[[evergreen]] [[tree]] up to 30m tall and with a [[tree trunk|trunk]] diameter of up to 3m.  

{{Inc|<br>Ficus religiosa, Linn. P.......... of the Hindoos. Lvs. ovate-rotund, at tip,........into a long linear-lanceolate tail-like ...........petiole 3-4 in. long; stipules minute: fr......pairs, sessile, dark purple, ½in. thick. In.....p.435.K.67a.Grows 100 ft. high, and........suspended on their long, flexible petioles,......the slightest breeze. "Quite hardy in S. .....attaining very large size."—Franceschi.

The [[Bodhi tree]] and the [[Sri Maha Bodhi]] propagated from it are famous specimens of Sacred Fig. The known planting date of the latter, [[288 BC]], gives it the oldest verified age for any [[flowering plant|angiosperm]] plant.

The '''Sacred Fig''' ''Ficus religiosa'', also known as '''Bo''' (from the [[Sinhalese]] Bo), '''Peepal''' (Pipal, Peepul) or '''Ashwattha''' tree, is a species of [[Banyan]] [[Fig]] native to [[Nepal]] and [[India]], southwest [[China]] and [[Indochina]] east to [[Vietnam]]. It is a large [[Dry season]]-[[Deciduous]] or semi-[[Evergreen]] [[Tree]] up to 30m tall and with a [[Tree trunk|trunk]] diameter of up to 3m.  

This plant is considered sacred by the followers of [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Buddhism]], and hence the name 'Sacred Fig' was given to it. [[Siddhartha Gautama]] is referred to have been sitting underneath a Bo Tree when he was [[bodhi|enlightened]] (Bodhi), or "awakened" (Buddha). Today [[Sadhu]]s still meditate below this tree. <br clear = left>

[[Image:Mahabodhitree.jpg|thumb|left]] The [[Leaf|leaves]] are [[wiktionary:Cordate|cordate]] in shape with a distinctive extended tip; they are 10-17cm long and 8-12cm broad, with a 6-10cm petiole. The [[Fruit]] is a small fig 1-1.5cm diameter, green ripening purple.  

[[Image:pipal.jpg|thumb|right|typical shape of the leaf of the Ficus Religiosa]]

The [[Bodhi tree]] and the [[Sri Maha Bodhi]] propagated from it are famous specimens of Sacred Fig. The known planting date of the latter, [[288 BC]], gives it the oldest verified age for any [[Flowering plant|angiosperm]] plant.

== Plaksa ==

Plaksa is a Sanskrit term for the Sacred fig. According to Macdonell and Keith (1912), it denotes the waved leaf fig-tree (''Ficus infectoria'').

 

 

== Plaksa ==

 

Plaksa is a Sanskrit term for the Sacred fig. According to Macdonell and Keith (1912), it denotes the waved leaf fig-tree (''Ficus infectoria'').  

In Hindu texts, the Plaksa tree is associated with the source of the [[Sarasvati River]]. The [[Skanda Purana]] states that the Sarasvati originates from the water pot of [[Brahma]] and flows from [[Plaksa]] on the Himalayas. According to Vamana Purana 32.1-4, the Sarasvati was rising from the [[Plaksa tree]] (Pipal tree).<ref>D.S. Chauhan in Radhakrishna, B.P. and Merh, S.S. (editors): Vedic Sarasvati, 1999, p.35-44 </ref>  

In Hindu texts, the Plaksa tree is associated with the source of the [[Sarasvati River]]. The [[Skanda Purana]] states that the Sarasvati originates from the water pot of [[Brahma]] and flows from [[Plaksa]] on the Himalayas. According to Vamana Purana 32.1-4, the Sarasvati was rising from the [[Plaksa tree]] (Pipal tree).<ref>D.S. Chauhan in Radhakrishna, B.P. and Merh, S.S. (editors): Vedic Sarasvati, 1999, p.35-44 </ref>  

Plaksa Pra-sravana denotes the place where the Sarasvati appears.<ref>Pancavimsa Brahmana, Jaiminiya Upanisad Brahmana, Katyayana Srauta Sutra, Latyayana Srauta; Macdonell and Keith 1912</ref> In the Rigveda Sutras, Plaksa Pra-sravana refers to the source of the Sarasvati.<ref>Asvalayana Srauta Sutra, Sankhayana Srauta Sutra; Macdonell and Keith 1912, II:55</ref>

Plaksa Pra-sravana denotes the place where the Sarasvati appears.<ref>Pancavimsa Brahmana, Jaiminiya Upanisad Brahmana, Katyayana Srauta Sutra, Latyayana Srauta; Macdonell and Keith 1912</ref> In the Rigveda Sutras, Plaksa Pra-sravana refers to the source of the Sarasvati.<ref>Asvalayana Srauta Sutra, Sankhayana Srauta Sutra; Macdonell and Keith 1912, II:55</ref>  

 

== See also ==

==See also==

 

*[[Sri Maha Bodhi]]

*[[Sri Maha Bodhi]]  

*[[Sitala]]

*[[Sitala]]

== References ==

== References ==

*Keith and Macdonell. 1912. Vedic Index of Names and Subjects.

*Keith and Macdonell. 1912. Vedic Index of Names and Subjects.  

*[http://iu.ff.cuni.cz/pandanus/database/details.php?plantno=400094&enc=utf&sort=ka&display=50&reswind=this&lat=&skt=on&pkt=&tam=&start=0 plaksa description]

*[http://iu.ff.cuni.cz/pandanus/database/details.php?plantno=400094&enc=utf&sort=ka&display=50&reswind=this&lat=&skt=on&pkt=&tam=&start=0 plaksa description]

== External links ==

== External links ==

 

{{commons|Ficus religiosa}}  

* {{ppn|b/bodhirukka.htm|Bodhi Tree}}

[[Category:Ficus|Fig, Sacred]]

[[Category:Ficus|Fig, Sacred]] [[Category:Flora_of_Asia]] [[Category:Flora_of_China]] [[Category:Flora_of_India]] [[Category:Flora_of_Pakistan]] [[Category:Medicinal_plants]]

[[Category:Flora of Asia]]

[[Category:Flora of China]]

[[Category:Flora of India]]

[[Category:Flora of Pakistan]]

[[Category:Medicinal plants]]