Banyan trees are famous for their aerial roots, enabling rapid growth
Beyond the hot and dusty Bazaars of Kolupitiya, the road runs under palms and bread-fruit trees until at Kalutara it reaches a splendid natural archway made by a single banyan tree, some of whose branches have struck root on the opposite side of the path. The common name of the Banyan tree is the strangler fig. The Indian Banyan tree, which is found in Sri Lanka, can grow into an enormous tree, covering several hectares in area.