Ficus Lyrata Warb
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Ficus Microcarpa L.f. 'Mini'
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Ficus Microcarpa L.f. 'Mini'
Ficus Microcarpa L.f. 'Mini'
| Family Name: | Moraceae |
| Synonyms: | Ficus rubra, Ficus littoralis, Ficus aggregata |
| Common Name: | Malayan Banyan, Jejawi, Curtain Fig, Chinese Banyan, Glossy-leaf Fig, Jawi Jawi, Small-Fruited Fig, Indian Laurel Fig, Laurel Fig, 榕树, 马来亚榕 |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a latex-containing, evergreen tree up to 30 m tall, with a rounded or flattened crown shape and numerous, slender aerial roots hanging down from the branches, and twigs. These roots eventually develop into stout, pillar roots. It is one type of strangler fig and may begin life as an epiphyte. This species resembles Ficus benjamina, but its twigs do not droop and the leaf tip is usually more blunt. |
|---|---|
| Crown | Rounded or flattened. |
| Trunk | Bark is light grey and smooth. Branches are held horizontally or inclined. They have an abundance of aerial roots hanging down from them that form a curtain-like mass. Some of these roots develop into woody, pillar roots that help support the spreading tree crown. |
| Roots | Numerous, slender aerial roots hanging down from the branches, and twigs. These roots eventually develop into stout, pillar roots |
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are oval, elliptic to slightly reverse egg-shaped. They also have blunt, or scarcely pointed tips, and are 2–14 by 1–9 cm. |
| Flowers | The plant is monoecious, producing unisexual flowers on the same individual. Both male and female flowers are stalkless. |
| Fruit | Its round syconia (figs) develop singly, or in stalkless pairs, and are 5–7 mm wide. They ripen a dark pink to deep purple at maturity. |
| Habitat | Habitat: Native to moist climates at altitudes of less than 1830 m. Occurs on rocky coasts, cliffs and riverbanks. It is also found in mixed forests, mountain forests, back mangroves and swampy flood plains inland of mangroves. In Hawaii, it is considered an invasive species. |
| Associated Fauna | It is the locally preferred food plant for caterpillars of the butterfly, the scarce silverstreak (Iraota rochana boswelliana), the adult of which lays its eggs singly on the stem or the undersides of leaves. The ripe figs are eaten by frugivores, such as birds, bats, rodents, squirrels and long-tailed macaques. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed, stem cutting or air-layering. |
| Etymology | Latin Ficus, commercial edible figs; Latin micro, small; Latin karpos, fruit, referring to the plant’s small figs |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Headache, toothache, and wounds can be treated by the administration of the bark, latex from the leaves, and roots. Additionally, colic and liver problems can be treated by ingesting the bark, and latex from the leaves. Others: The aerial roots of this species are used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat toothache, rheumatism and inflammation of the feet. In India, latex extracted from the leaves is consumed to treat liver disease or applied to the skin to treat colic. They use the bark and leaves to relieve headaches, while leaves and roots are thought to promote healing of bruises and wounds. Some Buddhists consider this species to be sacred. They make offerings to the trees on small altars placed at their base. |
Full Sun
Semi Shade
Moderate Water
Bird-Attracting Plant
Butterfly Host Plant
Native to Singapore
Coastal Plant
Suitable for Bonsai
Tree
