Banyan Plant: Scientific Classification, Features, & Exam Guide

Welcome young biologists! Let’s go on an adventure to meet one of the biggest and most magical trees you’ll see in India and beyond—the Banyan plant. Ever noticed a giant tree with twisty roots that look like nature’s curtain? That’s our superstar for today, the Banyan plant. Let’s learn its secrets with Vedantu!

Hello, Banyan! Meet the Wondrous Tree of Many Names

The Scientific Side—Who Are You, Banyan?

The Banyan plant is also known by its scientific name, Ficus benghalensis. It belongs to the fig family, called Moraceae, and grows mostly in India, Southeast Asia, and other tropical places. People sometimes call it the “Indian fig tree.” It’s famous for its huge size and its special roots that hang down from the branches! Banyan is a type of flowering, perennial tree, which means it lives for many, many years and can flower every season.

Where Does It Feel at Home?

Banyan trees love warm, tropical weather. You will see them in parks, on roadsides, near temples, and often at the center of villages. The giant spread of the banyan’s branches makes a perfect shady spot for birds, animals, and people.

Banyan Plant Quick Facts	Details
Scientific Name	Ficus benghalensis
Family	Moraceae
Type	Flowering, perennial tree
Habitat	India, Tropical Asia, village commons
Special Feature	Aerial roots that become thick trunks!

Peek Inside: Parts of a Mighty Banyan Plant

Roots: Where the Magic Begins

The Banyan tree has two main kinds of roots. The first is the strong, deep tap root that anchors the tree like all big trees. But Banyan has a surprise! It grows aerial roots, which hang down from branches like green ribbons. When these hanging roots touch the ground, they dig in and become thick, woody supports—almost like the tree is growing more legs!

Strong Stems and Glossy Leaves

• The stem is thick and woody, covered in a milky sap called latex.


• Leaves are large, oval, dark green, smooth, and leathery.


• Leaves grow one by one (alternate arrangement) on stems.


• The shape helps the tree collect lots of sunlight for food-making.

Flowers and Fruits—Secrets Inside the Figs

Banyan flowers are tiny and hidden inside a special pod called a hypanthodium (it looks like a small green fruit!). Pollination happens with the help of a tiny wasp—yes, a real insect friend! The fruit is a small fig, which holds many seeds and is food for birds and squirrels.

How Does a Banyan Grow So Big?

The Banyan’s Tricks—Aerial Roots and More!

Banyan trees can spread out wide, creating forests all by themselves! Their special trick is the aerial root. These roots come out from branches, dangle down, and when they reach soil, they thicken into new trunks. Over many years, one tree can look like an entire forest because of this!

Photosynthesis Power!

Like all green plants, the Banyan uses its big leaves to catch sunlight and make food. This process is called photosynthesis. Its wide canopy means lots of leaves, so lots of food and oxygen for everyone around!

Why Is the Banyan Loved by People?

Medicinal, Ecological, and Economic Wonders

• Bark, latex, and leaves are used as medicine for treating wounds, ulcers, and diabetes.


• Aerial roots were used as “toothbrushes” (datun) in olden times!


• Giant branches and roots make cool, shady places—perfect for resting in summer.


• Acts as home for birds, monkeys, and thousands of tiny creatures.


• Helps stop soil from washing away during rain.


• Central to many village festivals and stories; a symbol of strength in Indian culture.

Did You Know?

• Some Banyan trees in India are more than 200 years old!


• The Great Banyan in Kolkata is so wide, it looks like a forest, but it’s just one tree!

Banyan vs Peepal – Can You Spot the Difference?

Banyan and Peepal are both types of fig trees and are sometimes confused because they grow in similar places. But they are quite different! Here’s a quick table for you:

Feature	Banyan (Ficus benghalensis)	Peepal (Ficus religiosa)
Aerial Roots	Many, thick, like pillars	Rare, mostly absent
Leaf Shape	Oval/elliptical, large	Heart-shaped, smaller
Main Uses	Shade, decoration, medicine	Worship, medicine
Fruits	Fig (syconium)	Fig (syconium)

Want to know more about the Banyan’s scientific name? Visit our page on Botanical Name of Banyan Tree for fun facts!

Let’s Revise: Banyan Fun Facts Table

Feature	What It Means	Fun to Know
Scientific Name	Ficus benghalensis	Named after “baniya” traders who rested under its shade!
Family	Moraceae	Same family as mulberry and jackfruit
Special Root	Aerial prop root	Can turn into new trunks—tree multiplication trick!
Role in Nature	Keystone species	Supports many animals and keeps soil healthy

Curious Kids Ask: Why Does the Banyan Have Hanging Roots?

Fun Example Q&A

Q: Why does the Banyan plant have so many roots hanging from its branches?
A: The Banyan uses aerial roots to support its heavy, wide branches. When these roots reach the ground, they become thick and help the tree spread out more, making it stable and strong like a living tent!

Practice Time: Test Your Banyan Brain!

• Name the family to which Banyan belongs.


• What are aerial roots and what do they do for the Banyan?


• List two ways Banyan trees are useful for humans.


• How can you tell the difference between a Banyan and a Peepal tree just by looking at them?

Common Confusions: Banyan, Peepal, and Other Figs

Don’t Get Mixed Up!

• Banyan has strong, pillar-like aerial roots; Peepal usually does not.


• Banyan leaves are big and oval; Peepal leaves are heart-shaped and wobble in the wind.


• Both make small fig fruits eaten by birds, but their shape and shade tell you which is which!

That’s a Wrap! Banyan Tree in a Nutshell

The Banyan plant is not just a tree; it’s a wonder of nature, a home for many creatures, a healer, and a symbol of Indian tradition. Its unique aerial roots help it grow into a forest all by itself! And guess what? Learning about amazing trees like the Banyan makes biology more fun and easy—especially with Vedantu by your side.

Whenever you see a big, shady tree with roots hanging down, remember all this cool science you’ve discovered. Maybe one day, you’ll sit under a Banyan and teach your friends, too!