**1. Introduction**

The genus *Ficus* belongs to *Moraceae* (Mulberry family). It is comprised of around 1000 species from pantropica land subtropical origins [1]. Plants of the family are on the whole woody, ranging from trees and shrubs to climbers [2]. *Ficus benghalensis* is an evergreen tree with a wide, spreading crown; it can grow 20–30 m or more tall. The plant usually begins life as an epiphyte, growing in the branch of another tree; as it grows older it sends down aerial roots which, when root reach the ground become much thicker and more vigorous. They supply nutrients to the fig, allowing it to grow faster than the host tree. Finally, the host dies, leaving the fig to carry on growing without competition. It can become a huge, spreading tree in time, with some specimens several hundred meters across and producing aerial roots from the spreading branches that in the long run become new trunks and enable the crown to spread considerably further.

*F. benghalensis* has many common names as Indian banyan tree, East Indian fig tree, and vada tree [2, 3]. Its name has been derived from the Hindu traders, called banyans, who favored the tree [2]. Banyan tree is considered sacred by Hindus and is largely grown near temples. It is a large and extensive growing tree of the Indian subcontinent. The wood is grey, moderately hard and durable under water. The wood of the "props" is stronger than that of the main trunk. The timber is used for making well-curbs, furniture, crates, door panels and cart-shafts. The props are

used for tent poles and umbrella handles. The leaves are used as fodder for cattle and elephants.

The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and medicinal uses. The tree is considered sacred by Hindus and is commonly planted for religious purposes; it is also grown as an ornamental and to provide shade along roads as well as in parks and large gardens.

*Ficus* compound showed significant antioxidant effect, which might be ascribed to their polyphenolic nature. The stem bark of *Ficus benghalensis* L. and *Ficus racemosa* L. are utilized in India for the treatment of diabetes and various different illnesses. The bark of *Ficus benghalensis* decreased fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin. The fruit of *Ficus benghalensis* is used in folk medicine for respiratory disorders and certain skin disease.

According to Edlin and Nimmo [4] proved that the latex (source of rubber) has been found in large quantity in the wood of *Ficus* genus, which is representing one of the largest economical uses of *Ficus* in Egypt. *Ficus benghalensis* is thought to be cultivated 150 years ago in Ismailia during the process of digging the Suez Canal back in 1859–1869.

These days, Ficus trees are subjected to many threats affecting the presence of main populations. These threats comprised by the following points: (a) human cutting for general purposes, (b) cutting by council city for shifting landscape of the city, and (c) absence of a specific pollinating wasp in order to reproduce and spread [5]. For these reasons and subsequently results, it is very hard to find a new tree individuals coming up to these areas of *Ficus*. These threats will change the landscape of the whole area in the next few years.

The present study is aimed to anticipate a strategic conservation plan for landscape construction primed by *Ficus* trees in Ismailia, Egypt and discuss the age structure of this species.

### **2. Distribution**

*Ficus benghalensis* is native to South Asia particularly India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan (**Figure 1**). It is often planted around temples and a place of religious interest. It is considered as sacred tree by both Hindus and Buddhists.

Banyan tree is widely cultivated in city parks and botanical gardens throughout the New World and Old World tropics. It grows well in tropical, semi-tropical areas, monsoon and rain forests with moderate to ample rainfall. Humid air and moist soil and is hardy, drought resistance and withstands mild frost is well suited for its growth [6].

Ismailia governorate is located in the eastern part of Egypt at the middle part of Suez Canal. It is bounded from the East by Suez Canal (that penetrates Temsah Lake and Bitter Lakes), from the West by the eastern borders of Delta along Damietta Nile branch, from the South by Suez-Cairo high way, Port Said and Manzala Lake from the North (**Figure 2**). It was established as a separate governorate by the declaration law number 24 in 1960. Its area is 5067 km2 and has seven main cities, Ismailia (the capital), Fayed, El-Tal El-Kber, El-Kantara east, El-Kantara west, El-Ksasen and Abo Souer. Human population of Ismailia governorate reaches 1.4 million individuals.

#### **3. Description**

*F. benghalensis*, frequently very large, up to 30 m length, have numerous aerial roots which can extend into new trunks so that the tree goes on thinning out laterally

**155**

**Figure 2.**

**Figure 1.**

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

indefinitely; a single tree can thus cover a very wide area. The leaves are leathery, entire, ovate or elliptic, 20–40 cm long with prominent lateral veins. The figs are 1–2 cm in diameter, without stalks, in pairs in leaf axils, and when ripe are bright red. Leaves are glossy, leathery and glabrous when mature, approximate hear the end of branches, ovate, mostly obtuse, base cordate or rounded, thickly coriaceous, basal nerves 3–7, the midrib with 4–6 pairs of secondary nerves, blade 10–20 cm, petiole 2–5 cm long, shoot pubescent, 1.5–2 cm in diameter, sessile, scarlet, red once ripe [7].

*Map showing the four studied localities of F. benghalensis chosen for study in Ismailia.*

*Distribution of Ficus benghalensis in South Asia according to https://media4.picsearch.com/is?JAgdqscN1wEM*

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

*9xqDeneyt8fKMoNfgxAyKwy5aPsy1qo&height=301.*

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

#### **Figure 1.**

*Modern Fruit Industry*

and elephants.

and large gardens.

back in 1859–1869.

structure of this species.

1.4 million individuals.

**3. Description**

**2. Distribution**

tory disorders and certain skin disease.

landscape of the whole area in the next few years.

used for tent poles and umbrella handles. The leaves are used as fodder for cattle

The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and medicinal uses. The tree is considered sacred by Hindus and is commonly planted for religious purposes; it is also grown as an ornamental and to provide shade along roads as well as in parks

*Ficus* compound showed significant antioxidant effect, which might be ascribed

According to Edlin and Nimmo [4] proved that the latex (source of rubber) has been found in large quantity in the wood of *Ficus* genus, which is representing one of the largest economical uses of *Ficus* in Egypt. *Ficus benghalensis* is thought to be cultivated 150 years ago in Ismailia during the process of digging the Suez Canal

These days, Ficus trees are subjected to many threats affecting the presence of main populations. These threats comprised by the following points: (a) human cutting for general purposes, (b) cutting by council city for shifting landscape of the city, and (c) absence of a specific pollinating wasp in order to reproduce and spread [5]. For these reasons and subsequently results, it is very hard to find a new tree individuals coming up to these areas of *Ficus*. These threats will change the

The present study is aimed to anticipate a strategic conservation plan for landscape construction primed by *Ficus* trees in Ismailia, Egypt and discuss the age

*Ficus benghalensis* is native to South Asia particularly India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan (**Figure 1**). It is often planted around temples and a place of religious inter-

Ismailia (the capital), Fayed, El-Tal El-Kber, El-Kantara east, El-Kantara west, El-Ksasen and Abo Souer. Human population of Ismailia governorate reaches

*F. benghalensis*, frequently very large, up to 30 m length, have numerous aerial roots which can extend into new trunks so that the tree goes on thinning out laterally

Banyan tree is widely cultivated in city parks and botanical gardens throughout the New World and Old World tropics. It grows well in tropical, semi-tropical areas, monsoon and rain forests with moderate to ample rainfall. Humid air and moist soil and is hardy, drought resistance and withstands mild frost is well suited for its growth [6]. Ismailia governorate is located in the eastern part of Egypt at the middle part of Suez Canal. It is bounded from the East by Suez Canal (that penetrates Temsah Lake and Bitter Lakes), from the West by the eastern borders of Delta along Damietta Nile branch, from the South by Suez-Cairo high way, Port Said and Manzala Lake from the North (**Figure 2**). It was established as a separate governorate by the

and has seven main cities,

est. It is considered as sacred tree by both Hindus and Buddhists.

declaration law number 24 in 1960. Its area is 5067 km2

to their polyphenolic nature. The stem bark of *Ficus benghalensis* L. and *Ficus racemosa* L. are utilized in India for the treatment of diabetes and various different illnesses. The bark of *Ficus benghalensis* decreased fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin. The fruit of *Ficus benghalensis* is used in folk medicine for respira-

**154**

*Distribution of Ficus benghalensis in South Asia according to https://media4.picsearch.com/is?JAgdqscN1wEM 9xqDeneyt8fKMoNfgxAyKwy5aPsy1qo&height=301.*

#### **Figure 2.**

*Map showing the four studied localities of F. benghalensis chosen for study in Ismailia.*

indefinitely; a single tree can thus cover a very wide area. The leaves are leathery, entire, ovate or elliptic, 20–40 cm long with prominent lateral veins. The figs are 1–2 cm in diameter, without stalks, in pairs in leaf axils, and when ripe are bright red.

Leaves are glossy, leathery and glabrous when mature, approximate hear the end of branches, ovate, mostly obtuse, base cordate or rounded, thickly coriaceous, basal nerves 3–7, the midrib with 4–6 pairs of secondary nerves, blade 10–20 cm, petiole 2–5 cm long, shoot pubescent, 1.5–2 cm in diameter, sessile, scarlet, red once ripe [7].

A flower has very small, separate, male and female flowers. The male flowers crowded near the mouth of the receptacle, whereas female flowers with shorter perianth, style long, male and female in the same receptacle [8].

Fruits are globular, sessile in axillary pairs, fleshy pericarp and with achenesen trenched in them, they are dark red in color, 1.5–2.0 cm diameter, red to dark purple when ripe; seeds are tiny. Fruit is not edible for humans but is eaten by birds and monkeys [8].
