Creeping fig, Climbing fig, Ivy-like fig
Ficus pumila

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A climbing fig. It clings to other plants. There are climbing aerial roots in the axils of leaves. It can climb 14 m or more. It often climbs up buildings. It can spread very widely. The leaves are of 2 types. The leaves are small, flat and heart shaped. They are 4-5 cm long. With age, new non climbing growth appears. These form thick stem. This growth has larger leaves which are fleshy. The flowers are very small. The occur singly. The fig or fruit are barrel-like and purplish green. They can be 5 cm long by 3 cm wide. The young figs are green but turn purple as they ripen.

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

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It can grow in sun or shade. It needs moderate moisture. It will grow on most well-drained soils. It cannot tolerate frost. Melbourne Botanical gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China (country/location of origin), Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Fiji, Guam, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, USA, Vietnam, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for jelly. The ripe fruit are put in a porous bag and the juice squeezed out. The juice is then cooked and cooled into a gelatinous jelly.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It needs a specific pollinator wasp for fruit. Where these occur it can be grown from seed. They can also become selfsown. It can be grown from cuttings and can spread from stem growth. It is often grown covering walls.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Ara jalar, Co trau, Dongshili, Hiedra, Hsueh-li, Kyauk-kat-nyaung-nwe, Lata dumur, Lin suea, Mu-lien, Mu-man-tu

Synonyms

Ficus repens Rottler; Ficus stipulata Thunb.;