5 Indian Trees and How to Recognize Them
India is losing its green cover and we know that we are lagging behind in making up for it. But it’s good to know about the vegetation that grows in our country. You’ll be surprised that there is a large variety of trees in India. It’s not possible to compile all Indian trees so I picked 5 common ones that we see around and don’t know much about.
- Banyan Tree
Banyan tree is the most familiar shade-giving tree in our country. Interestingly, it originated in India itself. Not many people know but the banyan tree is also the national tree of India.
The leaves look like those of a fig tree. If you pluck a leaf, a white sticky liquid is visible.
2. Neem tree
It is grown in both tropical and subtropical regions. Neem has endless medicinal properties and that’s what makes it popular in India. It is used to control pests and deal with pox viruses.
It is slightly difficult to spot the real neem tree because the chinaberry tree looks quite similar to it. It has a strong smell and its flowers are pale white in colour. Its leaves grow in pairs along a long common stem.
3. Peepal tree
The peepal tree falls in the category of dry season deciduous or semi- evergreen tree. This is one of those rare trees of India that release oxygen both in the day and the night.
The leaves of this tree are heart-shaped with an extended drip tip.
4. Arjuna tree
Arjuna tree is generally found around river beds. It has a woody fibrous fruit that appears between September and November.
The woody fruit has five wings and is possibly the most unique looking fruit. If you see it, you can guess this Indian tree’s name easily.
5. Sal Tree
Sal is one of the largest deciduous trees in India. The sal tree is hardly leafless. It is said that the tree provides good quality timber. Interestingly, the sal tree is worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists.
The leaves of the sal tree are ovate-oblong in shape. Their texture is rough and they have a peculiar shine on their upper surface.
