Ficus religiosa is a large, long-lived deciduous to semi-evergreen tree recognized by its heart-shaped leaves with a long tapering tip. The bark is smooth and grey, and the tree exudes milky latex when injured. Its tiny flowers are enclosed inside a fleshy structure called a syconium, which develops into small purple to black figs when ripe. The fruits are an important food source for birds, bats, monkeys, and many other wildlife species.

Native to the Indian subcontinent, it is commonly found in forests, villages, parks, and temple premises. The Peepal tree is highly valued for its ecological, medicinal, and religious significance, and is considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Origin of Name: Ficus is the Latin name for the fig tree, while religiosa means "sacred" or "religious", referring to its religious importance.
PC: Ravi Saini & Sonu Kumar