**10. Discussion**

*F. benghalensis* is the world's largest tree as far as its spread [20]. The tree is native to India and Pakistan (it is named for Benghal). It is a popular shade-tree, cultivated in many tropical countries [21]. The plant begins growth on other trees and eventually envelopes them completely. Aerial roots hang down from the branches and these eventually become trunks. This circle of trunks deriving from one original tree can reach an enormous size—200 m in diameter and 30 m in height. Their shade has made them important gathering places. Known in Hindu mythology as "the wish-fulfilling tree," banyans represent eternal life. The tree is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists in India and is frequently planted around temples. Being a majestic ornamental tree it is also planted in parks and along streets in the tropics. In temperate climates it is grown as an indoor plant. In general, the banyan is a source of dye and shellac—an important component in French polish—produced by lac insects which inhabit the tree as pests.

The present study showed that populations of *Ficus benghalensis* have limited distribution in Ismailia city (target study area). Four sites were only recognized in the study area. The limitation may return to the requirements of the pollinating wasp (*Eupristina masoni*). However, Ismailia is located near the midpoint of the Suez Canal, on the northwestern shore of Lake Temsaḥ. The lake, is a natural depression, was connected to the Gulf of Suez of the Red Sea in pharaonic times. The city was founded in 1863 by the French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps, constructor of the Suez Canal, as a base camp. It was named for the ruling Egyptian khedive (viceroy) Ismail Pasha, whose elaborate palace built for the gala opening of the canal in 1869 has fallen into ruin. Laid out in the nineteenth century style, with broad avenues, tree-lined squares, parks, and gardens, it has a gridiron street plan. Ismailia was cultivated with huge number of *F. benghalensis* and now is subjected to huge human threats affecting the presence of these trees.

Nadel et al. [10] described the pollination process which is the main reason of not producing off spring of *F. benghalensis*. In general, the genus *Ficus* (*Moraceae*) is distributed in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. About one-half of the species are monoecious, the rest being gynodioecious but functionally dioecious Nadel et al. [10]. Most species grow as trees, while others are shrubs or climber. Frequently, germination in many species occurs on other trees, with the seedlings growing epiphytically while sending a set of connections of roots down to the soil, eventually "strangling" their nurse trees [10]. However, other species begin their lives on rocks or straight in soil. Pantropical in distribution, only a few fig species extend into warm temperate regions.

As expressed by Nadel et al. [10], with few exceptions, each fig species is pollinated by a different species of wasp in the family *Agaonidae* (*Hymenoptera*: *Chacidoidea*) [5, 22–24]. The pollination biology of monoecious species has been described by Galil and Eisikowitch [25, 26]. A pollen-laden female wasp enters the syconium or "fig," an urn-shaped inflorescence which, when in the receptive stage, is lined internally with dozens or hundreds of receptive female flowers and a few immature male flowers. The wasp lays her eggs through the styles into some of the ovaries, pollinating most of the flowers in the process. In dioecious fig species, pollination is more complex. The "male" tree is monoecious, having both male and female flowers in each syconium, but it has only short-styled female flowers. Nearly all of these female flowers are used by the ovipositing wasps, with the result that the tree produces no seeds, only pollen and agaonids. The female tree, on the other hand, is truly female; the syconia contain only female flowers. These flowers are all long-styled, which effectively eliminates the ability of the agaonid to oviposit in them. The absences of this process of pollination cause failure in germination of *F. benghalensis*.

**163**

*A Threatened Introduced Species (*Ficus benghalensis *L.) in Ismailia, Egypt*

Age dating results of *Ficus benghalensis* reflect the history of Ismailia area, which

return to the age of Suez Canal. Digging of Suez Canal started in 1862 another canal, Ismailia canal, was constructed in the same time to sustain thousands of workers with water, food and other requirements. El-Mawany area and Nemra Ceta area showing the oldest *Ficus* trees are located near the construction of those canals. Importance of cultivating *F. benghalensis* at that time not only returns to their huge shade but also to their medicinal importance that could help in treatments of differ-

Based on age dating results, the oldest *F. benghalensis* is 394 years old cultivated in site number one (El Mawany), whereas the youngest tree is 96 years old cultivated in site number four (Nemra Ceta). The highest mean of age dating was recorded for the trees cultivated in site number three (304 years) located at Mohamed Ali, followed by *Ficus* trees cultivated in site number one (242 years) located at El-Mawany area. The lowest mean of age dating was recorded for *Ficus* trees cultivate in site number four and two (229, 216 years respectively). Correlation analysis indicates the direct correlation between age dating, cover, height, CAB, and CBH. CBH was the most important parameter could be used to predict the age dating of *F. benghalensis*. The results showed very important notes about growth mode of *Ficus benghalensis*: (a) average number of annual rings per centimeter ranges from 13 and 14 annual rings and (b) *Ficus* tree with age of 96 years has height 3 m and diameter at breast height equals 14 cm and the oldest tree has height and

Age dating of *Ficus benghalensis* data may be interpreted with one of the following two hypotheses. First, these trees may be introduced with age ranges from 150 to 200 years (about 20–30 cm diameter, and 5–7 m height) and connected with the Suez Canal construction for shade and medicinal importance. The second hypothesis returns the cultivation of these trees to the age before the construction of Suez Canal, and the populations of *F. benghalensis* were selected to be near to the route of Suez Canal and Ismailia canal to get benefit from their shade and medicinal

*Ficus benghalensis* plant is an ever green plant of family *Moraceae* having many chemicals compounds present in this plant. There are so many researchers work out on this plant species. According to Patil et al. [27] described that in leaves, stem, bark; root and aerial root have different chemicals so this plant is having medicinal

In *Ficus benghalensis* leaves have quercetin-3-galactoside, rutin, friedelin, taraxoseterol, lupeol, B-amyrin along with psoralen, bergapten and B-sisterol. The bark of *Ficus benghalensis* has 5,7 dimethyl ether of lucope-largonidin 3-0-∞-L rhamnoside and 5,3, dimethyl ether of leucocynidin 3-0-∞-D galactosyl cellobioside, glycoside, 20-tetra-triaconthene-2-one, 6-heptatriacontene-10-one, pentatriacontan-5-one, beta sitosterol-alpha-D-glucose and meso-inositol Earlieds, glucoside, 20 tetrattria-conthene-2-one, 6-heptaria contene-10-one, pentatriacontan-5-one, beta sitosterol-alpha-D-glucose, and me-so inositol, leucodelphinidin derivative, bengalenoside: aglucoside, leucopelargonin derivative, leucocynidin derivative, glycoside of leucopelargonidin have been isolated from the bark of *Ficus* 

The fruit of *Ficus benghalensis* traditional use of folk medicine for respiratory disorders and certain skin disease. According to Ayurvedic system of medicine *Ficus benghalensis* Linn (banyan tree) is well known to be useful in diabetes. This attracted the attention of many earlier workers who studied the hypoglycemic effect

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88164*

diameter equal 11 m and 57 cm, respectively.

ent diseases.

importance.

importance.

*benghalensis*.

**10.1 Chemical constituents**

*A Threatened Introduced Species (*Ficus benghalensis *L.) in Ismailia, Egypt DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88164*

*Modern Fruit Industry*

**10. Discussion**

lac insects which inhabit the tree as pests.

huge human threats affecting the presence of these trees.

*F. benghalensis* is the world's largest tree as far as its spread [20]. The tree is native to India and Pakistan (it is named for Benghal). It is a popular shade-tree, cultivated in many tropical countries [21]. The plant begins growth on other trees and eventually envelopes them completely. Aerial roots hang down from the branches and these eventually become trunks. This circle of trunks deriving from one original tree can reach an enormous size—200 m in diameter and 30 m in height. Their shade has made them important gathering places. Known in Hindu mythology as "the wish-fulfilling tree," banyans represent eternal life. The tree is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists in India and is frequently planted around temples. Being a majestic ornamental tree it is also planted in parks and along streets in the tropics. In temperate climates it is grown as an indoor plant. In general, the banyan is a source of dye and shellac—an important component in French polish—produced by

The present study showed that populations of *Ficus benghalensis* have limited distribution in Ismailia city (target study area). Four sites were only recognized in the study area. The limitation may return to the requirements of the pollinating wasp (*Eupristina masoni*). However, Ismailia is located near the midpoint of the Suez Canal, on the northwestern shore of Lake Temsaḥ. The lake, is a natural depression, was connected to the Gulf of Suez of the Red Sea in pharaonic times. The city was founded in 1863 by the French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps, constructor of the Suez Canal, as a base camp. It was named for the ruling Egyptian khedive (viceroy) Ismail Pasha, whose elaborate palace built for the gala opening of the canal in 1869 has fallen into ruin. Laid out in the nineteenth century style, with broad avenues, tree-lined squares, parks, and gardens, it has a gridiron street plan. Ismailia was cultivated with huge number of *F. benghalensis* and now is subjected to

Nadel et al. [10] described the pollination process which is the main reason of not producing off spring of *F. benghalensis*. In general, the genus *Ficus* (*Moraceae*) is distributed in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. About one-half of the species are monoecious, the rest being gynodioecious but functionally dioecious Nadel et al. [10]. Most species grow as trees, while others are shrubs or climber. Frequently, germination in many species occurs on other trees, with the seedlings growing epiphytically while sending a set of connections of roots down to the soil, eventually "strangling" their nurse trees [10]. However, other species begin their lives on rocks or straight in soil. Pantropical in distribution, only a few fig species extend into warm temperate regions. As expressed by Nadel et al. [10], with few exceptions, each fig species is pollinated by a different species of wasp in the family *Agaonidae* (*Hymenoptera*: *Chacidoidea*) [5, 22–24]. The pollination biology of monoecious species has been described by Galil and Eisikowitch [25, 26]. A pollen-laden female wasp enters the syconium or "fig," an urn-shaped inflorescence which, when in the receptive stage, is lined internally with dozens or hundreds of receptive female flowers and a few immature male flowers. The wasp lays her eggs through the styles into some of the ovaries, pollinating most of the flowers in the process. In dioecious fig species, pollination is more complex. The "male" tree is monoecious, having both male and female flowers in each syconium, but it has only short-styled female flowers. Nearly all of these female flowers are used by the ovipositing wasps, with the result that the tree produces no seeds, only pollen and agaonids. The female tree, on the other hand, is truly female; the syconia contain only female flowers. These flowers are all long-styled, which effectively eliminates the ability of the agaonid to oviposit in them. The absences of this process of pollination cause failure in germination of

**162**

*F. benghalensis*.

Age dating results of *Ficus benghalensis* reflect the history of Ismailia area, which return to the age of Suez Canal. Digging of Suez Canal started in 1862 another canal, Ismailia canal, was constructed in the same time to sustain thousands of workers with water, food and other requirements. El-Mawany area and Nemra Ceta area showing the oldest *Ficus* trees are located near the construction of those canals. Importance of cultivating *F. benghalensis* at that time not only returns to their huge shade but also to their medicinal importance that could help in treatments of different diseases.

Based on age dating results, the oldest *F. benghalensis* is 394 years old cultivated in site number one (El Mawany), whereas the youngest tree is 96 years old cultivated in site number four (Nemra Ceta). The highest mean of age dating was recorded for the trees cultivated in site number three (304 years) located at Mohamed Ali, followed by *Ficus* trees cultivated in site number one (242 years) located at El-Mawany area. The lowest mean of age dating was recorded for *Ficus* trees cultivate in site number four and two (229, 216 years respectively). Correlation analysis indicates the direct correlation between age dating, cover, height, CAB, and CBH. CBH was the most important parameter could be used to predict the age dating of *F. benghalensis*. The results showed very important notes about growth mode of *Ficus benghalensis*: (a) average number of annual rings per centimeter ranges from 13 and 14 annual rings and (b) *Ficus* tree with age of 96 years has height 3 m and diameter at breast height equals 14 cm and the oldest tree has height and diameter equal 11 m and 57 cm, respectively.

Age dating of *Ficus benghalensis* data may be interpreted with one of the following two hypotheses. First, these trees may be introduced with age ranges from 150 to 200 years (about 20–30 cm diameter, and 5–7 m height) and connected with the Suez Canal construction for shade and medicinal importance. The second hypothesis returns the cultivation of these trees to the age before the construction of Suez Canal, and the populations of *F. benghalensis* were selected to be near to the route of Suez Canal and Ismailia canal to get benefit from their shade and medicinal importance.

#### **10.1 Chemical constituents**

*Ficus benghalensis* plant is an ever green plant of family *Moraceae* having many chemicals compounds present in this plant. There are so many researchers work out on this plant species. According to Patil et al. [27] described that in leaves, stem, bark; root and aerial root have different chemicals so this plant is having medicinal importance.

In *Ficus benghalensis* leaves have quercetin-3-galactoside, rutin, friedelin, taraxoseterol, lupeol, B-amyrin along with psoralen, bergapten and B-sisterol.

The bark of *Ficus benghalensis* has 5,7 dimethyl ether of lucope-largonidin 3-0-∞-L rhamnoside and 5,3, dimethyl ether of leucocynidin 3-0-∞-D galactosyl cellobioside, glycoside, 20-tetra-triaconthene-2-one, 6-heptatriacontene-10-one, pentatriacontan-5-one, beta sitosterol-alpha-D-glucose and meso-inositol Earlieds, glucoside, 20 tetrattria-conthene-2-one, 6-heptaria contene-10-one, pentatriacontan-5-one, beta sitosterol-alpha-D-glucose, and me-so inositol, leucodelphinidin derivative, bengalenoside: aglucoside, leucopelargonin derivative, leucocynidin derivative, glycoside of leucopelargonidin have been isolated from the bark of *Ficus benghalensis*.

The fruit of *Ficus benghalensis* traditional use of folk medicine for respiratory disorders and certain skin disease. According to Ayurvedic system of medicine *Ficus benghalensis* Linn (banyan tree) is well known to be useful in diabetes. This attracted the attention of many earlier workers who studied the hypoglycemic effect from the bark of *Ficus benghalensis*. *Ficus benghalensis* Linn is a large evergreen tree found throughout forest tracts of India. It is popular Indigenous system of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy. In traditional system of medicine various plant parts such as stem, bark, and root bark aerial roots, vegetative buds, leaves, fruits and latex are used in dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, nervous disorders, tonic and astringent.
