Comments
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Ficus benjamina is commonly cultivated as a houseplant. The name probably refers to the supposed relation of the plant to the source of a resin or benzoin procured from the Orient in antiquity.
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Description
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Trees , evergreen, to 10 m. Roots adventitious, occasionally hanging. Bark gray, smooth. Branchlets brown, glabrous. Leaves: stipules 0.8-1.2 cm; petiole 0.5-2(-3) cm. Leaf blade oblong, elliptic, lanceolate, or ovate, 4-6(-11) × 1.5-6 cm, nearly leathery, base rounded or cuneate, margins entire, apex acuminate or cuspidate; surfaces abaxially and adaxially glabrous; basal veins 1(-2) pairs, short; lateral veins (6-)12(-14) pairs, regularly spaced, uniform; secondary veins prominent. Syconia solitary or paired, sessile or subsessile, orange, yellow, or dark red, nearly globose, 8-12 × 7-10 mm, glabrous; subtending bracts 2-3, crescent-shaped, 0.5-1.5 mm, glabrous; ostiole closed by 3 small, flat, apical bracts 1.5-2 mm wide, umbonate.
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Description
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Trees, to 20 m tall, crown wide, d.b.h. 30-50 cm. Bark gray to gray-white, smooth. Main branches producing aerial roots which can develop into new trunks; branchlets gray-white, pendulous, glabrous. Stipules caducous, lanceolate, 0.6-1.5 cm, membranous, glabrous. Petiole 1-2 cm, adaxially sulcate; leaf blade ovate to broadly elliptic, 4-8(-14) × 2-4(-8) cm, ± lea-thery, glabrous, base rounded to cuneate, margin entire, apex shortly acuminate; secondary veins 8-10 on each side of midvein, parallel, anastomosing near margin, indistinct from tertiary veins. Figs axillary on leafy branchlets, paired or solitary, purple, red, or yellow [or red with white dots] when mature, globose to depressed globose or sometimes pear-shaped, 0.8-2 cm in diam., glabrous or pubescent, base attenuate into stalk, sessile; involucral bracts inconspicuous, triangular-ovate, glabrous, persistent. Male, gall, and female flowers within same fig. Male flowers: few, shortly pedicellate; calyx lobes (3 or)4, broadly ovate; stamen 1; filament rather long. Gall flowers: many; calyx lobes (3 or)4 or 5, narrowly spatulate; ovary ovoid, smooth; style ± lateral, short. Female flowers: sessile; calyx lobes 3, shortly spatulate; style ± lateral, short; stigma enlarged. Achenes ovoid-reniform, shorter than persistent style. Fl. Aug-Nov.
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Description
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A large evergreen shrub or tree, up to 8 m or more tall, with nearly 10 m wide spreading crown and drooping shoots, aerial roots absent or very Bark light-grey, smooth, young twigs slender, brownish, glabrous. Leaves with 10-25 mm long petiole; lamina ovate-elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, (3-) 5-12 cm long, 2-6 cm wide, narrow to wide cuneate at the base, cuspidate at the apex, lateral naves numerous, close and nearly parallel, intercostals present, cystoliths present on both sides; stipules paired, lanceolate, 8-10 (-12) mm long, acute, glabrous. Hypanthodia sessile, in axillary pairs globose-ovoid, glabrous green, c. 1.5 cm in diam., subtended by 2-3 crescentric, often unequal sized basal bracts, apical orifice depressed, closed by 3 minute bracts; internal bristles absent. Male flowers: dispersed, Pedicellate, sepals. free; stamen solitary, slightly exserted. Female flowers: numerous, sessile; sepals 3-4, ± spathulate; ovary ovoid with lateral style. Figs orange-red, 2-2.5 cm in diameter, glabrous.
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Distribution
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introduced; Fla.; West Indies (Lesser Antilles); native to Asia.
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Distribution
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SW Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, S Taiwan, Yunnan [Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam; N Australia, Pacific Islands].
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Distribution
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Distribution: Nepal , N. India, Bangla Desh, Burma, S. China, Malaysia to the Solomon Islands and N. tropical Australia; introduced and cultivated in Pakistan, Ceylon, U.S.A. and elsewhere.
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Flower/Fruit
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Fl. & Fr. Per.: October-Junuary.
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Flowering/Fruiting
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Flowering all year.
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Habitat
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Disturbed thickets and hammocks; 0-10m.
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Habitat
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Moist mixed forests, near villages; 400-800 m.
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Synonym
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Urostigma benjamina (Linnaeus) Miquel
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Ficus benjamina
provided by wikipedia EN
Ficus benjamina, commonly known as weeping fig, benjamin fig[3] or ficus tree, and often sold in stores as just ficus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae, native to Asia and Australia.[4] It is the official tree of Bangkok. The species is also naturalized in the West Indies and in the states of Florida and Arizona in the United States.[5][6] In its native range, its small fruit are favored by some birds.[7]
Description
Ficus benjamina is a tree reaching 30 m (98 feet) tall in natural conditions, with gracefully drooping branchlets and glossy leaves 6–13 cm (2+3⁄8–5+1⁄8 inches), oval with an acuminate tip. The bark is light gray and smooth. The bark of young branches is brownish. The widely spread, highly branching tree top often covers a diameter of 10 meters. It is a relatively small-leaved fig. The changeable leaves are simple, entire and stalked. The petiole is 1 to 2.5 cm (3⁄8 to 1 inch) long. The young foliage is light green and slightly wavy, the older leaves are green and smooth; the leaf blade is ovate to ovate-lanceolate with wedge-shaped to broadly rounded base and ends with a short dropper tip. The pale glossy to dull leaf blade is 5 to 12 cm (2 to 4+1⁄2 inches) cm long and 2 to 6 cm (1 to 2+1⁄2 inches) wide. Near the leaf margins are yellow crystal cells ("cystolites"). The two membranous, deciduous stipules are not fused, lanceolate and 6 to 12 mm (1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch) (rarely to 15 mm or 9⁄16 inch) long.[8]
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.
The ripe figs (collective fruit) are orange-red and have a diameter of 2.0 to 2.5 cm (3⁄4 to 1 inch).
Cultivation
In tropical 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 and moderate day temperatures at night are favourable conditions for great 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.[9]
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 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[10] and the variegated cultivar 'Starlight'[11] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[12] 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.[13]
These trees are also considered a high risk for succumbing to storm gale winds in hurricane-prone South Florida.[14] As a consequence, in many jurisdictions in South Florida, no permit is needed for removal of these trees.[15] The South Florida Water District recommends removing them safely and promptly.[16]
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.[17] 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.[17] 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.
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.[18]
Gallery
References
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^ 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.
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^ a b "Ficus benjamina L.". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2015-07-19 – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
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^ "Ficus benjamina". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2009-02-17.
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^ "Ficus benjamina in Flora of China @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org.
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^ "Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map".
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^ "Ficus benjamina in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org.
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^ Frith et al. 1976
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^ Wolverton, BC (1996) How to Grow Fresh Air . New York: Penguin Books.
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^ Kwang Jin Kim, Mi Jung Kil, Jeong Seob Song, Eun Ha Yoo, Ki-Cheol Son, Stanley J. Kays (July 2008). "Efficiency of Volatile Formaldehyde Removal by Indoor Plants: Contribution of Aerial Plant Parts versus the Root Zone". Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 133 (4): 521–526. doi:10.21273/JASHS.133.4.521. ISSN 0003-1062.
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^ "Ficus benjamina". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
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^ "Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' (v) Benjamin fig". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
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^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 39. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
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^ Gilman, Edward F.; Watson, Dennis G. (November 1993). "Ficus benjamina Weeping Fig" (PDF). Fact Sheet ST-251. United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
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^ Writer, Liz Doup Staff (29 August 2005). "FICUS, PINE AT ROOT OF GROWING STORM WOES". Sun-Sentinel.com.
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^ "Tree Removal or Relocation Permits - Miami-Dade County". www.miamidade.gov.
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^ https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/bts_stormwise_landscapes.pdf
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^ a b Schenkelberger V, Freitag M, Altmeyer P (1998). "Ficus benjamina--the hidden allergen in the house". Hautarzt. 49 (1): 2–5. doi:10.1007/s001050050692. PMID 9522185. S2CID 29908249.
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^ "Ficus spp. - Setting the Standard". phadia.com. Thermo Fisher Scientific. 2012.
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Ficus benjamina: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Ficus benjamina, commonly known as weeping fig, benjamin fig or ficus tree, and often sold in stores as just ficus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae, native to Asia and Australia. It is the official tree of Bangkok. The species is also naturalized in the West Indies and in the states of Florida and Arizona in the United States. In its native range, its small fruit are favored by some birds.
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