Bo Tree
Ficus Religiosa (Mulberry Family)
These are the large rounded leaves that are very popular with card makers,

The Indian bo tree, with its long tailed leaves that continually flutter on long, slim stems, has a celebrated history rich in religious legend.

Prince Siddartha Gautama - who later became Buddha - sat beneath its branches, meditating on the meaning of existence. It was there, sheltered by it constantly trembling leaves that he achieved nirvana, or divine enlightment, an experience that in 528BC to found a new religion.

Today Buddhism is one of the five great religionsof the world. The Bo tree is deeply venerated and on Bodhgaya, India, where it grew, is now a sacred place of pilgrimage for Buddhists.

The trees alternate name bodhi, refers to that historic event and means tree of enlightenment or awakening.

It is popluar with elephants as nourishing green fodder, and silkworms like it too!