Ficus benjamina

{{speciesbox

|image = Starr-080608-7576-Ficus benjamina-habit with Laysan albatross-Gym Sand Island-Midway Atoll (24823189861).jpg

|status = LC

|status_system = IUCN3.1

|status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). |author2=IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group. |year=2019 |title=Ficus benjamina |volume=2019 |page=e.T145362709A145370980 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T145362709A145370980.en |access-date=23 January 2023}}

|genus = Ficus

|parent = Ficus subg. Urostigma

|species = benjamina

|display_parents = 4

|authority = L. 1767{{ThePlantList | id = kew-2809661 | taxon = Ficus benjamina | authority = L. | access-date = 2015-07-19 | archive-date=June 1, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601165248/http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2809661}}

| synonyms = {{collapsible list|bullets = true

|title=Synonymy

|Ficus benjamina var. bracteata Corner

|Ficus benjamina var comosa (Roxb.) Kurz

|Ficus benjamina subsp. comosa (Roxb.) Panigrahi & Murti

|Ficus benjamina var. comosa King

|Ficus benjamina var. haematocarpa (Blume ex Decne.) Miq.

|Ficus benjamina var. nuda (Miq.) M.F.Barrett

|Ficus benjamina f. warringiana M.F.Barrett

|Ficus comosa Roxb.

|Ficus cuspidatocaudata Hayata

|Ficus dictyophylla Wall. [Invalid]

|Ficus haematocarpa Blume ex Decne.

|Ficus lucida Aiton

|Ficus neglecta Decne.

|Ficus nepalensis Blanco

|Ficus nitida Thunb.

|Ficus notobor Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. [Invalid]

|Ficus nuda (Miq.) Miq.

|Ficus papyrifera Griff.

|Ficus parvifolia Oken

|Ficus pendula Link

|Ficus pyrifolia Salisb. [Illegitimate]

|Ficus reclinata Desf.

|Ficus retusa var. nitida (Thunb.) Miq.

|Ficus striata Roth

|Ficus umbrina Elmer

|Ficus xavieri Merr.

|Urostigma benjaminum var. nudum Miq.

|Urostigma neglectum Miq. Unresolved

|Urostigma nudum Miq. }}

|synonyms_ref =

|range_map = Ficus benjamina distribution.jpg

|range_map_caption = Range of the species Ficus benjamina.

}}

Ficus benjamina, commonly known as weeping fig, benjamin fig{{GRIN | access-date=2009-02-17}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200006350|title=Ficus benjamina in Flora of China @ efloras.org|website=www.efloras.org}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Ficus%20benjamina.png|title=Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200006350|title=Ficus benjamina in Flora of North America @ efloras.org|website=www.efloras.org}} Its small fruit are favored by some birds.{{cite journal|author=Frith, H.J.|author2= Rome, F.H.J.C. |author3= Wolfe, T.O. |name-list-style=amp |year=1976|title=Food of fruit-pigeons in New Guinea|journal=Emu|volume=76|issue=2|pages=49–58 |doi=10.1071/MU9760049|bibcode= 1976EmuAO..76...49F |url=http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/96/paper/MU9760049.htm}} Ficus trees have proved to have environmental benefits in urban areas, such as acting as biomonitors. The species is also associated with some allergens.

Description

Ficus benjamina is a tree reaching {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=in}} tall in natural conditions, with gracefully drooping branchlets and glossy leaves {{convert|6|-|13|cm|abbr=in|frac=8}}, 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 {{convert|10|m}}. It is a relatively small-leaved fig. The changeable leaves are simple, entire and stalked. The petiole is {{convert|1|to|2.5|cm|in|abbr=in|frac=8}} 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 {{convert|5|to|12|cm|in|abbr=in|frac=2}} cm long and {{convert|2|to|6|cm|in|abbr=in|frac=2}} wide. Near the leaf margins are yellow crystal cells ("cystolites"). The two membranous, deciduous stipules are not fused, lanceolate and {{convert|6|to|12|mm|in|abbr=in|frac=16}} (rarely to {{convert|15|mm|in|abbr=in|frac=16|disp=or}}) long.Wolverton, BC (1996) How to Grow Fresh Air . New York: Penguin Books.

F. benjamina is monoecious. The inflorescences are spherical to egg-shaped, shiny green, and have a diameter of {{convert|1.5|cm|in|abbr=in|frac=2}}. 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.{{cn|date=March 2023}} Pollination of F. benjamina only occurs with a specific type of wasp that live symbiotically together.{{Cite journal |last=Starr, Starr, Loope |first=Forest, Kim, Lloyd |date=January 2003 |title=Ficus benjamina |url=http://www.starrenvironmental.com/publications/species_reports/pdf/ficus_benjamina.pdf |journal=Biological Resources Division}}

The ripe figs (collective fruit) are orange-red and have a diameter of {{convert|2.0|to|2.5|cm|in|abbr=in|frac=8}}.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

The tree is treated as an ornamental bush and indoor plant in many places. But it is one of the best shade trees. It can grow to enormous size. Its capability of carbon sequestration is also good.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}{{Cite journal |last=Fernandes Barros, do Amaral, Thereza Fonseca, Pereira dos Santos, Barcellos de Souza, de Alvarenga Pereira Costa, Rita Scotti |first=Beatriz, Rubens, Maria, Gabriel, Gisela, Stael, Maria |date=July 16, 2024 |title=Old-growth Ficus trees provide soil water and carbon storage to urban greenspaces in a Brazilian metropolis |url=https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/320499/1-s2.0-S2590252024X00033/1-s2.0-S259025202400031X/main.pdf?X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEBwaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIQCQsyr8hPKU0j4wwi3MvZJU1y%2FQnbjncNdYrIx6ggg%2BFgIgdQ6H0GZ%2Fre%2BgGpgRgPRLG%2F7Ns771xMiu0PaoeJ%2B0y7MqvAUItP%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FARAFGgwwNTkwMDM1NDY4NjUiDJlWFEpnMOk31UY4cyqQBV%2FZZRwZqcLnJKmj8LC1ad%2F%2FeaR73ei4t6QAXbMQUbuBOZDwrThNmD%2FQA5e52pG8h0ww9j9ldYRKrFO1HDpvw93E4nrQDonGXsakUWH%2F2HKQ32047uRCmRvMKJ2A32jmSI3hMUjeCDr%2BW1TIvA1cflhCuen5VrwejSGmO8Hki351IoV7l3La7VueJCCp3z5jGDrQv1GzUvjCv4GmJjnC%2Fbl%2FotPkdtRF%2FRXpneF7iRlV5%2BKwBqO5T%2F5c8eq5ASnNvI1IDsjEktZ5IZ%2BCqG05FHoYUYmcJkk5yaqCa8LVqWp6aubCP55BgDKPjR0g6FxANh5iAFh3ArjBbr6QfhQZ6LCfAG9wfd0EAS287og4iRzLMlsF1Lbc8OXYUP2SUDeJmN2Y9miJwZak%2Fv0KLHZsKRerebnGccyksKQSHN5itMohO4xpE67tbEogjUFsxO%2FSJDOo0U29aZDppZYTGEqcP7zneVl47iMGh3VLJxP42oBuQAq74qdoGqa4%2FlsColvYEKs3Dl8VJWgdVAZdiIZr5brvcSBcX6FroFvAPScE4NKi0uKv1Uf2ZiyHtvIrB%2BuwSwSfR1SCir1sEnKWtk2MZFDvFmihwTfpDr6FB%2Fclj1TPrON547ayNAZx06Lvo5SdpAYIdqxnblyxpKdOhB61%2FYxgq3h6CpUdLEr6Zw59KQbgotXkoZUGto4PzOd7TQlsxlI1IrMK8W1d0zclmWuY4uBdA%2FtHeBh99E4XPxnmIh6trIvy%2FhXfyVpGrgUBenjc%2F0REKSfzK%2BQ4%2BiP5sx8PP%2BYYHrbloCJIYYlpPZSsGYdArZnh2lt8kFgV9OzYtuwUens%2F1%2FsMRvVpFtEuCqVtKzRP9jE6PVVsY8ZG8fu5RcMyMJzw%2F7kGOrEBm%2BPBiDI5eN1UIuHeX6zjPATC7OC%2Bebi1bL2RTrnVQ3zzhmvDLocC2Ndpgij8Q9S%2Fxkhsrb4SXY2wZFuvcKOWwyULgZVpLPIObvIs29nB5b%2FYesY6jYMBMfCPNjHjNzTuWdG3dWeVIg3HmV23iqPSb3hdJa2uVzJ%2FkLBf0i3VDebE4pqqh54FEfYrAFVYGTkT2uwTRJ1T1x71iqKdEQoi%2BrDVvmv8Ef15n4gB3Esp5l9V&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20241122T051103Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAQ3PHCVTYQ275YQND%2F20241122%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=d863fb43c0e523f59d43fd62d944279006292649576af958fcc3e21406b69ea2&hash=cf41034a873e17d849b3d938a1e600239adcdda0006367054f4c59da51ef6de5&host=68042c943591013ac2b2430a89b270f6af2c76d8dfd086a07176afe7c76c2c61&pii=S259025202400031X&tid=spdf-7f3f5a5b-2ba8-455f-9617-f1d1a464a8b2&sid=0e601d77641b194232281f929a369ad94885gxrqa&type=client&tsoh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&ua=0f155b0b54555506065850&rr=8e666aa62d2175f2&cc=us |journal=City and Environmental Interactions|volume=24 |doi=10.1016/j.cacint.2024.100171 }}

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, such as in Bourbong Street Weeping Figs in Bundaberg, where it is heritage listed.

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 favorable 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 replacement. F. benjamina has been shown effectively to remove gaseous formaldehyde from indoor air.{{cite journal | title = Efficiency of Volatile Formaldehyde Removal by Indoor Plants: Contribution of Aerial Plant Parts versus the Root Zone |author=Kwang Jin Kim |author2=Mi Jung Kil |author3=Jeong Seob Song |author4=Eun Ha Yoo |author5=Ki-Cheol Son |author6=Stanley J. Kays | date = July 2008 | volume = 133 | issue = 4 | pages = 521–526 | issn = 0003-1062 | journal = Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science | doi = 10.21273/JASHS.133.4.521 | doi-access = free }} F. benjamina also helps eliminate heavy metals, most commonly in urban areas.{{Cite web |last=Fawzi Mahomoodally, Asif, Rahman, Ishaq, Nisar |first=Mohamad, Farwa, Rafia, Aniqa, Shafaq |date=2019 |title=A review of the pharmacological potential and phytochemical profile of Weeping Fig-Ficus benjamina L|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337364118}} The plant has been used as a biomonitor in New Mexico.{{Cite journal |last=Morton, O., Hernandez, E., Ordonez |first=Bermea-, Alvarez, Godinez |date=September 13, 2020 |title="Mercury, Platinum, Antimony, and Other Trace Elements in the Atmospheric Environment of the Urban Area of Mexico City" |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00128-020-03080-9 |journal=Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology|volume=106 |issue=4 |pages=665–669 |doi=10.1007/s00128-020-03080-9 |pmid=33471189 }}

Figs tend to be consumed dried.{{Cite journal |last=Kucuker |first=Emine |date=2023 |title="Impact of Postharvest Putrescine Treatments on Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Capacity, Organic Acid Contents and some Quality Characteristics of Fresh Fig Fruits during Cold Storage." |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2791685611 |journal=Plants |volume=12|issue=6 |page=1291 |doi=10.3390/plants12061291 |doi-access=free |pmid=36986981 |pmc=10051898 |id={{ProQuest|2791685611}} }} The fruit is edible, but the species is not usually grown for its fruit. The leaves have been known to have pharmaceutical benefits such as anti-oxidant properties. The leaves are very sensitive to small changes in light. When a tree 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 (citation needed).

File:Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 7645.jpg]]

=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{{cite web|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/7197/Ficus-benjamina/Details |title=Ficus benjamina|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|access-date=4 July 2020}} and the variegated cultivar 'Starlight'{{cite web|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/97233/Ficus-benjamina-Starlight-(v)/Details |title=Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' (v) Benjamin fig|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|access-date=4 July 2020}} have earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 39 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 27 February 2018}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Gilman |first1=Edward F. |last2=Watson |first2=Dennis G. |date=November 1993 |title=Ficus benjamina Weeping Fig |url=http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/ficbena.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209183205/http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/ficbena.pdf |archive-date=December 9, 2014 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |work=Fact Sheet ST-251 |publisher=United States Forest Service}}

These trees are also considered a high risk for succumbing to storm gale winds in hurricane-prone South Florida.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2005-08-29-0508280215-story.html|title=FICUS, PINE AT ROOT OF GROWING STORM WOES|first=Liz Doup Staff|last=Writer|website=Sun-Sentinel.com|date=29 August 2005 }} As a consequence, in many jurisdictions in South Florida, no permit is needed for removal of these trees.{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamidade.gov/permits/tree-removal.asp|title=Tree Removal or Relocation Permits - Miami-Dade County|website=www.miamidade.gov}} The South Florida Water District recommends removing them safely and promptly.{{cite web|url=https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/bts_stormwise_landscapes.pdf |title=Storm Wise South Florida Landscapes {{!}} Landscaping in hurricane-prone southern Florida|publisher=South Florida Water District}}

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.{{cite journal|title=Ficus benjamina--the hidden allergen in the house | pmid=9522185 | volume=49 | issue=1 | journal=Hautarzt | pages=2–5 |vauthors=Schenkelberger V, Freitag M, Altmeyer P | doi=10.1007/s001050050692| year=1998 | s2cid=29908249 }} 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 those allergic to latex. In extreme cases, Ficus sap exposure can cause anaphylactic shock in latex allergy sufferers. The consumption of many parts of the plant can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; safe exceptions are the edible fruits.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

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.{{cite web | url=http://www.phadia.com/en/Products/Allergy-testing-products/ImmunoCAP-Allergen-Information/Occupational-Allergens/Allergens/Ficus-spp-/ | title=Ficus spp. - Setting the Standard | publisher=Thermo Fisher Scientific | work=phadia.com | date=2012 | archive-date=July 22, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722094304/http://www.phadia.com/en/Products/Allergy-testing-products/ImmunoCAP-Allergen-Information/Occupational-Allergens/Allergens/Ficus-spp-/}}

Gallery

File:Weeping-fig Ficus-benjamina.jpg|Foliage

File:Ficus benjamina 1.jpg|Fruits

File:Starr 050516-1264 Ficus benjamina.jpg|Tree in Hawaii

File:Ficus benjamina.jpg|Tree in Tenerife

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Waringinbomen op de alun-alun in Loemadjang TMnr 60027266.jpg|Tree in the alun-alun (city square) of Lumajang, East Java. The iconic tree toppled in January 2021{{cite press release|title=PRESS RELEASE : PENYEBAB TUMBANGNYA BERINGIN ALUN ALUN LUMAJANG - Website Resmi Pemerintah Kabupaten Lumajang |url=https://www.lumajangkab.go.id/berita-opd/detail/1144 |website=www.lumajangkab.go.id |publisher=Lumajang Regency Government |access-date=16 March 2024 |language=id}}

File:Ficus benjamina Sukabumi.jpg|Tree in West Java

File:Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' kz01.jpg|Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' in the Botanic Garden of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland

File:FicusBenjaminaGreece.jpg|Ficus benjamina in Patras, Greece

File:Milano - Banca d'Italia 0545.JPG|Ficus benjamina in the Bank of Italy building in Milan, Italy