What Is The Economic Importance Of Pi-pal Tree, Mango, Banana Tree And Neem Tree?

• The Pi-pal (Peepal) tree, also known as the Sacred Fig or Bo-Tree, is a species of banyan fig, native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South west China and Indochina.

A semi-evergreen tree, it can reach heights of 30 meters, with trunks growing to 3 meters in diameter.

Away from its native habitat, in Florida and California, it is grown as a host tree. With its broad long leaves perfect for shading the Lac insect, the source of the important resin, Shellac.

• A fleshy stone-fruit, the common mango or Indian Mango, was first cultivated in south-east Asia. However, it is now grown in many tropical and subtropical regions, with its fruit distributed internationally.

The mango now accounts for approximately half of all tropical fruits worldwide, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimating that global production was nearly 35,000,000 tonnes in 2009.

• The banana plant, often mistaken for a tree, is the largest herbaceous flowering plant in the world.

The banana fruit, which is consumed, is developed in a large hanging cluster, made up of tiers, each containing up to 20 fruit per tier. The hanging cluster itself is called a bunch, and comprises of anything from 3 up to 20 individual tiers.

Bananas constitute a major food staple for millions of people in the developing world. Unfortunately, most banana farmers receive a low price for their produce, as import and distribution companies seek to pay discounted prices for buying in large quantities.

• The Neem tree, Azadirachta indica, is part of the Meliaceae famliy. Fast-growing, it can reach a height of 15-20 meters, but some examples have been found to grow up to 40 meters.

In India, the tree is known under a series of names including 'Sacred' tree and Nature's Drugstore, all of which allude to the important medicinal properties of the tree.

Properties taken from the Neem can be found in spermicide, acne treatments, pesticides, as well as sedatives and antibacterial products.