This tree sends aerial roots to the ground from its branches. It is a parasitical plant which grows « upside down » by leaning on a support, usually a tree. Description of the banyan
The banyan seed is placed in the fork of a tree by a bird. This seed then produces several long roots along the tree where it has been placed. As they come into contact with the ground, these roots become very solid.
They multiply, become intertwined and weld together to form a very tight mesh which then strangles the tree until it kills it through suffocation and depriving the victim tree of the light which it needs.
By the time the trunk of the supporting tree decomposes, the banyan has acquired enough solidity to support itself.
When it bears fruit, the banyan attracts hordes of birds such as parrots, lorikeets, pigeons…
A superb banyan tree can be admired at Prony (Commune of Mont Dore - South). This tree envelopes a whole section of wall of the Penitentiary building. They can also be seen at the Michel Corbasson "Parc Zoologique et Forestier".
The banyan tree in Melanesian culture and its various uses
The banyan has a mythical role in Melanesian culture where it is often referred to in oral and written litterature. It is associated with funeral rituals. In fact, to honour the memory of Chiefs, their remains were placed in the interlacing of the banyan roots. It is also the tree under which the Chiefs debate.
In traditional medicine, The fresh «milk» of the banyans contains medicinal properties but this becomes caustic after a few days.
In sport, the dried latex of the Ficus prolixa is used to make cricket balls. The sap from the banyan which is collected in bottles for 24 hours is left to dry on plywood boards. The tongues are then turned into themselves to obtain very round balls which are exactly 7 centimetres.
The tentacular roots of the banyan are also used to make traditional canoe floaters.
Bibliography
« La Nouvelle-Calédonie aujourd’hui » Editions du Jaguar (Arlette EYRAUD)
« Stars du Caillou » Editions Grain de sable (Bernard SUPRIN)