WHY NOT FICUS !

 

Ficus is a tropical genus of trees, shrubs, and vines occupying a wide variety of niches in the Moraceae family. Because they can adapt very well to interior lighting many are utilized as indoor foliage plants. Each species has cultivars that are commercially available.

 

this variegated Ficus needs a lot of light or sun !

 

Most are evergreen, but some deciduous species live outside of the tropics and in higher elevations. Regardless of where they grow, they all produce a white to yellowish latex.  This is most apparent from leaves or stems when injured.

Branches all have a pair of stipules (a covering that protects the bud). When these fall off they leave circular scars. Aerial roots are common, as well as a distinctive shape or habit.

Their fruits distinguish them from other plants.

 

Latex oozing out of cut Ficus wood

 

The genus is characterized by their unique inflorescence and distinctive pollination. The flowers are enclosed in an urn-like structure called a syconium (fig fruit). This structure is lined on the inside with the fig’s tiny flowers that develop into multiple ovaries.

Basically the fruit is a fleshy stem with multiple tiny flowers that coalesce inside. A specific wasp species belonging to the family Agaonidae is their vector for pollination.

 

Wood, Paper and Cloth

 

Ficus wood was used to make mummy caskets in Ancient Egypt. Pou (F. religiosa) leaves’ shape inspired one of the standard decorative elements in Cambodian architecture. Indian banyan (F. benghalensis) and the Indian rubber plant, as well as other species, have use in herbalism.

Some species (F. cotinifolia, F. insipida and F. padifolia) were used in Mesoamerica to produce paper – papel amate.

 

a sheet of amate paper made in Mexico

 

Mutuba (F. natalensis) in Uganda produces bark cloth. The inner bark of a wild fig, known as urú, was once used by the Moré people of Bolivia to produce a fibrous cloth used for clothing.

 

The Common Fig

 

the incredible edible fig !

Ficus carica is a temperate species native to southwest Asia and the Mediterranean region (from Afghanistan to Portugal). It is a hardy shrub or small tree grown outdoors in mild temperate regions to 14 °F.

Widely cultivated from ancient times for its fruit – it is what we commonly call “figs”. Each produces a substantial harvest of fruit.

 

Ficus used as an Indoor plant

 

A few species are widely used as indoor plants for the home or the office. Most adapt to the dry, warm atmosphere of centrally-heated interiors. Given the chance some can grow to substantial heights in a sunny or bright spot.

 

Ficus benjamina – weeping fig

 

Ficus elastica – rubber plant – several cultivars have variegated leaves

 

 

Ficus lyrata – fiddle-leaf fig

 

 

Ficus maclellandii – aka F. alii

 

Ficus microcarpa – Indian laurel

 

Ficus pumila – creeping fig

 

Looking for a Indoor Ficus Tree ?

Our Indoor Team can get you the right one for your home !

or office !

Call us – let’s talk choices !

 

 

PLANT SPECIALISTS
GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 53 YEARS !

 

 

 

Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK