Question 1

What is Ficus benghalensis var. krishnae?

Accepted Answer

It is a botanical variety of the common banyan tree, distinguished by its cup-shaped or concave leaves. In South Asian tradition the leaf shape is associated with Lord Krishna, giving the tree its varietal name krishnae. It is listed among the ayurvedic medicinal plants of Sri Lanka.

Question 2

What is the Sinhala name for the banyan tree in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The banyan tree — Ficus benghalensis in its broader form — is known in Sinhala as 'nuga.' Large nuga trees are a common feature of temple grounds and village centres across Sri Lanka, where they are treated as sacred landmarks.

Question 3

How is Ficus benghalensis used in ayurvedic medicine?

Accepted Answer

Various parts of the tree — including the bark, latex, aerial roots, and leaves — are used in classical ayurvedic formulations. Traditional uses include preparations targeting skin conditions, inflammation, and digestive disorders. The plant contains tannins, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds that are the subject of ongoing pharmaceutical research.

Question 4

Where can I see rare fig species in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, near Kandy, is the best place to observe labelled cultivated specimens of rare and unusual fig varieties in Sri Lanka. Temple precincts across the dry zone also frequently shelter mature banyan specimens of considerable age and size.

Question 5

Is Ficus benghalensis var. krishnae found growing wild in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

It is not commonly encountered in the wild across the island. Documented specimens are more often found in cultivated settings such as botanical gardens and temple grounds, particularly in the lowland dry zone. Its relative scarcity adds to its interest for botanists and ethnobotany researchers visiting Sri Lanka.

Question 6

What other medicinal plants are in Sri Lanka's ayurvedic catalog?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka's ayurvedic plant catalog spans several hundred species, including trees, shrubs, and herbs adapted to habitats from coastal lowlands to montane forests. Notable examples include Acacia chundra, Pongamia pinnata, and various species of Syzygium. Many of these plants have been used in formal ayurvedic practice for well over a thousand years.

Question 7

Can travellers visit ayurvedic herb gardens in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Yes, several dedicated herbal gardens and ayurvedic resorts across Sri Lanka — particularly in the Kandy and Matale areas — offer guided walks through collections of medicinal plants. These visits are typically paired with demonstrations of traditional preparation methods and, in some cases, brief ayurvedic consultations. Botanical gardens such as Peradeniya also label medicinal species throughout their collections.

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