Ficus benjamina
Ficus benjamina | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Moraceae |
Tribe: | Ficeae |
Genus: | Ficus |
Subgenus: | F. subg. Urostigma |
Species: | F. benjamina
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Binomial name | |
Ficus benjamina | |
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Range of the species Ficus benjamina. | |
Synonyms[2] | |
Synonymy
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Ficus benjamina, commonly known as weeping fig, benjamin fig
Description
Ficus benjamina is a
F. benjamina is monoecious. The inflorescences are spherical to egg-shaped, shiny green, and have a diameter of 1.5 cm (1⁄2 inch). In the inflorescences are three types of flowers: male and fertile and sterile female flowers. The scattered, inflorescences, stalked, male flowers have free sepals and a stamen. Many fertile female flowers are sessile and have three or four sepals and an egg-shaped ovary. The more or less lateral style ends in an enlarged scar.[citation needed]
The ripe figs (collective fruit) are orange-red and have a diameter of 2.0 to 2.5 cm (3⁄4 to 1 inch).[citation needed]
Cultivation
In tropical, subtropical and warm temperate latitudes, the weeping fig makes a very large and stately tree for parks and other urban situations, such as wide roads. It is often cultivated for this purpose.
F. benjamina is a very popular houseplant in temperate areas because of its elegant growth and tolerance of poor growing conditions; it does best in bright, sunny conditions, but it also tolerates considerable shade. It requires a moderate amount of watering in summer and only enough to keep it from drying out in the winter. Longer days, rather high daytime and moderate night-time temperatures constitute favourable conditions for appreciable growth in a short time. It does not need to be misted. The plant is sensitive to cold and should be protected from strong drafts. When grown indoors, it can grow too large for its location and may need drastic pruning or replacing. F. benjamina has been shown to effectively remove gaseous formaldehyde from indoor air.[11]
The fruit is edible, but the plant is not usually grown for its fruit. The leaves are very sensitive to small changes in light. When it is turned around or relocated, it reacts by dropping many of its leaves and replacing them with new leaves adapted to the new light intensity. The plant is also sensitive to changes in other environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and relocation.
Cultivars
Numerous cultivars are available (e.g. 'Danielle', 'Naomi', 'Exotica', and 'Golden King'). Some cultivars include different patterns of colouration on the leaves, ranging from light green to dark green, and various forms of white variegation. In cultivation in the UK, this plant[12] and the variegated cultivar 'Starlight'[13] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[14] The miniature cultivars, especially 'Too Little', are among the most popular plants for indoor bonsai.
Destructive roots and hurricane propensity
The United States Forest Service states, "Roots grow rapidly, invading gardens, growing under and lifting sidewalks, patios, and driveways." They conclude that its use in tree form is too large for residential planting, therefore, the species should only be used as a hedge or clipped screen.[15]
These trees are also considered a high risk for succumbing to storm gale winds in hurricane-prone South Florida.[16] As a consequence, in many jurisdictions in South Florida, no permit is needed for removal of these trees.[17] The South Florida Water District recommends removing them safely and promptly.[18]
Allergic reactions
The plant is a major source of indoor allergens, ranking as the third-most common cause of indoor allergies after dust and pets.[19] Common allergy symptoms include rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma. Ficus plants can be of particular concern to latex allergy sufferers because of the latex in the plants and should not be kept in the environment of latex allergy sufferers.[19] In extreme cases, Ficus sap exposure can cause anaphylactic shock in latex allergy sufferers. The consumption of parts of plants leads to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Exceptions are the edible fruits.[citation needed]
Allergy to Ficus plants develops over time and from exposure. The allergy was first observed in occupational settings amongst workers who regularly handled the plants. A study of workers at four plant-leasing firms showed that 27% of the workers had developed antibodies in response to exposure to the plants.[20]
Gallery
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Foliage
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Fruits
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Tree in Hawaii
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Tree in Tenerife
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Tree in West Java
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Ficus benjamina 'Variegata' in the Sněžné bonsai garden, Czech Republic
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Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' in theKraków, Poland
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Ficus benjamina inPatras, Greece
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Ficus benjamina in theMilan, Italy
References
- ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Ficus benjamina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T145362709A145370980. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Ficus benjamina L.". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved 2015-07-19 – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
- ^ "Ficus benjamina". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
- ^ "Ficus benjamina in Flora of China @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org.
- ^ "Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map".
- ^ "Ficus benjamina in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org.
- ^ https://www.israel21c.org/love-wins-the-day-in-fight-to-preserve-26-trees-in-jaffa/
- ^ https://www.haaretz.com/2004-10-21/ty-article/ficus-fables/0000017f-ef6a-d223-a97f-effffa7c0000
- ^ Frith et al. 1976
- ^ Wolverton, BC (1996) How to Grow Fresh Air . New York: Penguin Books.
- ISSN 0003-1062.
- ^ "Ficus benjamina". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- ^ "Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' (v) Benjamin fig". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 39. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ^ Gilman, Edward F.; Watson, Dennis G. (November 1993). "Ficus benjamina Weeping Fig" (PDF). Fact Sheet ST-251. United States Forest Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ^ Writer, Liz Doup Staff (29 August 2005). "FICUS, PINE AT ROOT OF GROWING STORM WOES". Sun-Sentinel.com.
- ^ "Tree Removal or Relocation Permits - Miami-Dade County". www.miamidade.gov.
- ^ https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/bts_stormwise_landscapes.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ S2CID 29908249.
- ^ "Ficus spp. - Setting the Standard". phadia.com. Thermo Fisher Scientific. 2012. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014.
- ^ "PRESS RELEASE : PENYEBAB TUMBANGNYA BERINGIN ALUN ALUN LUMAJANG - Website Resmi Pemerintah Kabupaten Lumajang". www.lumajangkab.go.id (in Indonesian). Lumajang Regency Government. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
Bibliography
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Frith, H.J.; Rome, F.H.J.C. & Wolfe, T.O. (1976): Food of fruit-pigeons in New Guinea. Emu 76(2): 49–58. HTML abstract