Ficus benjamina
Posted: July 16th, 2013, 5:37 am
| Botanical Name | Ficus benjamina |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Local Name in Urdu | Ficus |
| Common Name | Ficus, weeping fig, Benjamin's fig, or ficus tree |
| Life Cycle | Ever green |
| Cultivar Name | Variegata is also available with variegated leaves |
| Fragrant or Not | Flower is not visible just a like a fig (injeer) tree. No fragrance |
| Category(Bush/Vine/Tree) | Tree |
| Height | > 20 feet |
| Spacing | Can be grown as a hedge or as a solitary plant |
| Flowering Months | Not available, only very mature trees produce "flowers" |
| Flower Color | Green becomes red |
| Growing Areas | Through out Pakistan in warm areas |
| Frost Tender | Yes |
| Exposure | Full sun, will tolerate some shade. If kept indoors with low levels of lights, leaves fall |
| Soil pH | No specific issues |
| Propagation | Air layering |
| Uses | Ornamental foliage |
| Other Details | Ficus belongs to the genus of giant trees like Peepal, and "Bar" and the Mulberry, and rubber plant. All of them can easily become huge trues. Fi-cus, is an ancient Latin name of a fig (injeer). The name benjamina probably refers to the supposed relation of the tree to the source of a resin or benzoin early procured from the East. If Ficus is allowed to grow it will continue grow taller and taller. Therefore trimming of this plant is necessary. There are couple of pests that attack Ficus, one of them is a leaf miner and other insect is called Ficus thrips which cause the leaf to fold and close. Thus if you see that the leaves are curled, or are not opening, it is time for a pesticide spray. Thrips are a big time nuisance on Ficus. Images by M. Munir |
