Ficus racemosa

Udumbara (Sanskrit) is the name of the legendary flower in Buddhism.

According to the Buddhist scriptures, it blossomed once before the birth of Buddha, and it may blossom only every three thousand years from that point. Buddhists regard it as a supernatural omen when it blossoms. In Buddhist writings, the blossoming of the Udumbara is used to stress the rare preciousness of an event or occasion. Also in some Buddhist scriptures it is said that this flower blossoms every 3000 years, coinciding with the time that the King of Falun comes to the human world to save the people.

It is an imaginary symbol in Buddhism and has never been seen yet. However, some people confuse it with the eggs of the lacewing[1].

In 2005, people (esp. by Falun Gong) claim to have seen the Udumbara grown on several Buddhist statues in Korea.[2][4]

References

[1] Green Lacewing Eggs http://woodypest.ifas.ufl.edu/224.htm

[2] 韩国多处现三千年一开之优昙婆罗花 http://epochtimes.com/gb/7/6/9/n1738989.htm

[3] 中国北方惊现三千年一开奇花优昙婆罗 http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/7/6/18/n1747792.htm

[4] Udumbara Flower Blossoms Seen in Korea