Banyan trees can be large and sprawling, with multiple secondary trunks.
Native to India and part of the mulberry family, the prickly pear is a huge tree with multiple uses and a rich history. Young plants take root, which forms secondary trunks to support the spreading branches. These trunks send out more roots until they choke the host tree.
The leaves of the prickly pear are large, leathery and are used as fodder for animals. The tree produces figs popular with birds and monkeys and also flowers that attract wasps for pollination. The oldest trees can reach more than 200 meters (656 feet) in diameter, with a height of 30 meters (98 feet).
The roots and sap of prickly pear can be used to treat toothache.
Although they are native to India, banyan trees are found throughout South Asia. They are often planted near houses, temples, towns, and roadsides. In most villages, this type of tree provides a gathering place for the community. People gather in its shade to relax, discuss issues, and make decisions. In fact, the name banyan is derived from the merchants called Banias, who would rest under the trees to discuss their strategies. Alexander the Great is also said to have camped under a prickly pear tree that was large enough to house his 7,000-man army.
Fig trees have a variety of uses. They produce a special type of rubber and their sticky milk is used in gardening. In the Nepal region, the milky sap is used to polish copper and brass.
The sap of the prickly pear can be used to treat bruises.
The wood and bark of the prickly pear are suitable for making paper, and the roots are often used to make ropes to hold bundles of wood together. Women in Nepal grind the roots of the tree into a paste to create a hair and skin conditioner. This tree is also used to produce shellac, widely used as an adhesive and surface finish in the industrial world.
Banyan trees are native to India.
The prickly pear is also used for medicinal purposes. The sap treats external skin inflammations and bruises. The bark and seeds are used as a tonic to refresh the body and also in the treatment of diabetic patients. The roots and sap are used to treat skin ulcers, dysentery, and toothaches. Prickly pear twigs are sold as toothpicks in India and Pakistan to promote oral health.
The prickly pear, considered sacred and representative of eternal life, is also a human symbol. In contemporary India, it is the national tree. Its connected roots and branches are sometimes used to symbolize the unity of the country.