by Abha Batra (9811417012)
PILKHAN (Ficus virens) or Pakad, as it is commonly called is a beautiful, majestic, shade providing deciduous tree, which has thus made it a popular avenue tree in Delhi. It is a ‘strangler fig’ belonging to the Ficus family which starts life as an epiphyte, growing in crevices in trees and eventually killing the host tree. Its foliage is a sight to behold in spring, as the new leaves are all red in colour gradually turning green as they mature. The leaves are long and pointy with very prominent veins. It has long aerial roots that tend to wrap around its own trunk like a muffler rather than dangle like those of the banyan. The leaves are excellent fodder for animals, especially elephants. It bears pea sized figs, growing from the axils of leaves, in pairs.
Fun Fact – it is the only fig tree in Delhi that bears white figs that are edible and loved by birds and monkeys! The Pilkhan is laden with green figs these days that will soon turn white with a pinkish tinge and often speckled with red. Do try to spot one around you and enjoy its beauty.
THE ORIENTAL WHITE- EYE is a very lively and lovely little bird with a beautiful song which goes ‘ pree-u’ or sometimes the sad ‘tseer tseer’ . Very commonly seen in our parks, it is easily recognizable by its prominent white eye ring. The male and female look similar. It is yellowish green in colour above and white below. You will suddenly see a group of four or five of them appear from nowhere, actively moving from one branch to another and then disappearing in no time! Its eggs are blue in colour and it feeds on insects, caterpillars, and fruits and even loves nectar from flowers thus helping in pollination too. A real delight to watch!
