The Bilva tree

Bilva is a medium-sized tree with alternate trifoliate leaves. When viewed together the leaves look like a trishul, or trident, the emblem of Shiva. These trifoliate leaves represent the three functions of Shiva: Creation, Preservation and Destruction. They also represent his three eyes. Hence the reason the Bilva leaves are believed to be effective in symbolically removing the sins of three births. The tree is sacred to Shiva, who is worshipped on Mondays. In India it was known as a poor man's food until the late 50's.
According to legend, a hungry hunter was out seeking a deer to shoot. He climbed a Bilva tree to await his prey but darkness fell and he decided to stay in the tree for safety. To pass his time and alleviate his bordom while he awaited sleep, he began plucking the leaves one at a time and letting them go. Unknown to him there was a shrine to Shiva beneath the tree and the leaves fell onto a shivalinga. Perspiration on that warm night also fell below. The day was the fourteenth day on the dark phase of the moon in the month of Phalguna (Feb-March), sacred to Shiva. The hunter had a vision of Shiva that night, who said 'it is not the way you worship that is important, but the worship itself.' The hunter had without knowing fulfilled all the conditions for the worship of Shiva. Even accidental worship is effective. From that time the tree and its trifoliate leaves have been sacred.

Bilva fruit is highly medicinal and cures diseases of the skin by purifying the skin. It is also a remedy for dysentery.

Bilva is also known as the Wood Apple plant and is the only species of its genus, in the family Rutaceae.