Goolar Tree

            GOOLAR TREE/ CLUSTER FIG

                            GOOLAR Ficus racemosa. Indian cluster fig.कुडुम्बर, उदुम्बर, हुमुर

 

                                                  Indian Cluster fig tree, Crooked trunk (Mulberry or fig family)

                                                                  Ficus racemosa./ Fig

                                                          GOOLAR leaves with baby teeth

                                                              GOOLAR Bark

                                                             GOOLAR Fruit

Goolar is middle sized tree. deciduous bark greyish yellow or rusty with milky sap. According to the folk wisdom, there runs a hidden stream under every Goolar tree. The Goolar is a 'riparian'(situated on the bank of river)  tree, growing naturally near streams or ponds in moist, clayed loams. It is conspicuously absent in arid regions. The Goolar is not a strangler ( named for their pattern of growth upon host trees, which often results in the host's death.)  and is never epiphytic (also called air plant, any plant that grows upon another plant or object merely for physical support.)  on other trees.

More parts of trees are used in traditional healing. An astringent lotion made from the bark is  credited with treating deep wounds, inflicted by tiger claws. The dried leaves are powdered as a cure for bilious afflictions.. The figs are carminative and the milky latex is  used to treat piles. and diarrhea. The figs are not often eaten but some forest dwellers communities seem to relish it . The leaves make an excellent fodder. Its wood is prescribed in ancient Hindu scriptures for the sacrificial fire. The tree too is sacred.

The only fig tree in Delhi with  its fig in  BRANCHING LEAFLESS CLUSTERS directly from trunk or main branches, woolly pear shaped red when ripe.

Goolar : An attractive fig tree with a crooked trunk. This one is not a 'strangler' and has no aerial roots. The red furry figs are distinctive arranged in short, branching clusters growing from the trunk or main branches.. Widely distributed specially near water. The Goolar qualifies as a native Delhi tree.

Commonly known as the Fig tree is a sacred tree for Hindus and Buddhists. In Buddhism, the flower of this tree is believed to bloom every 3,000 years, which symbolizes events like Lord Buddha attaining enlightenment. Athi Mara is among the richest plant sources of calcium and fiber and has been used in Ayurveda to treat various disorders.

Athi Mara in Kannada

Seasons :

Leaves : Leaves evergreen near a perennial source of water. Otherwise leaves shed in January, leafless till early March. Leaves are arranged alternatively on twigs. Leaves 9-13 cm  long thin and with a few irregular teeth at first, gradually becoming leathery and dark on their upper surface, duller and paler below.. They loose their teeth as they mature. There are always three strong yellow nerves starting from the base.(are more prominent on the under surface.)

Figs : Often produced in 2 crops, one in March-April and second in rains. Fogs grows in large clusters directly from the trunks or main branches. (unlike most other figs which grow in the axis of leafy twigs). Each fig is 2-3 cm wide with a short stalk, and is more or less spherical- older figs may be somewhat flattened near their apices. Ripe figs are softly wooly with a strong skein of veins just visible under the translucent skin.

Bark : Variable in colors, creamy yellow,, pinkish, silvery grey or rusty. yet unmistakably once you have earned to recognized it. Relatively smooth, becoming somewhat scaly with age.

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