Benjamin’s fig, Weeping fig
Ficus benjamina

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A fig. It is an evergreen tree. It grows to 12-30 m high and spreads to 4-15 m across. The stem is erect and slender. It has irregular flanges along it. The trunk can be 30-50 cm across. The branches can hang over and the leaves hang down. The plant can produce aerial roots from the largest branches. The bark is smooth and pale grey. The leaves are simple, green and glossy. They are darker on top. The are leathery and oval and taper towards the tip. Leaves are 5-13 cm long and 2-4.5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1 cm long. The flowers are very small. There are separate male and female flowers enclosed in a receptacle or fig. The fruit are dark red and small round figs. They are 1 cm across. They are produced in pairs. Some varieties occur based on the size of the figs.

There are about 800-1000 Ficus species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 120 Ficus species in tropical America.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can grow in subtropical and warm temperate regions. It does best in rich, moist soil. It needs a protected sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It can survive light frost. They need a minimum temperature above 15°C. It grows naturally in moist coastal monsoon vine forests. In China it grows in mixed forests between 500-600 m altitude in S China. It requires humidity and light. It grows below 700 m altitude in Vietnam. It grows on the edge of secondary forest. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vietnam, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by cuttings, suckering or layering. Plants can be grown from seed

It is moderately fast growing. In Australia plants fruit from August to October.

Its other names

Local names

Balete, Beringin, Charingin, Chilubor, Chhrey kreum, Chui ye rong, Co hay, Faiy kudhi nika, Jawi-jawi, Jejawi, Kabra, Kyet-kadut, Niakhusi, Nyaung-lun, Nyaung-thabye, Pakur, Pimpri, Pukar, Putra-juvi, Sai yol, Sai-yoi-bai-laem, Sami, Si, The Waringin, Waringin, Weringin

Synonyms

Ficus comosa Roxb.; Ficus lucida Aiton; Ficus nitida Thunb.; Ficus pyrifolia Salisb. [Illegitimate]; Ficus retusa var. nitida (Thunb.) Miq.; Urostigma nitidum Miq.; and others