Common name: Krishna Fig, Krishna's butter cup • Hindi: माखन कटोरी Makhan Katori, कृष्ण बढ़ Krishna badh • Manipuri: ক্ৰিশ্না খোঙনাঙ Krishna Khongnang
Botanical name: Ficus benghalensis var. krishnae Family: Moraceae (Mulberry family) Synonyms: Ficus krishnae
Krishna Fig is a very large, fast growing, evergreen tree up to 30 m tall,
with spreading branches and many aerial roots. Leaves stalked, ovate
heart-shaped, 3 nerved, when young velvety on both sides. The unique feature
of the tree is that the leaves have a pocket-like fold at the base.
Leaf stalks with
a broad smooth greasy gland at the apex, compressed, downy. The plant is
also known as Krishna Butter Cup. As with most things in India, there is a
mythological story of Krishna related to the leaves of this tree. The story
goes that Lord Krishna was very fond of butter and would even steal it.
Once when he was caught by his mother, Yashoda, he tried to hide the butter
by rolling it up in a leaf of this tree. Since then, the leaves of these
trees have retained this shape.
| Photographed in Bangalore. |
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