Malayan Banyan Ficus microcarpa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Urostigma microcarpum
- Phonetic Spelling
- FY-kus my-kro-CAR-pa
- Description
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Chinese Banyan is a species of fig tree native to tropical and subtropical Asia. When young, the plant appears to be a shrub, but when grown outdoors in Mediterranean climates, it can reach 40 feet high with a 40 foot crown. It also grows well as a shade tree and, for this reason, is frequently used as an indoor tree and in bonsai. While it historically has been used as a street tree, the areal roots can damage pavement if not properly managed and it is considered invasive in many parts of the world. Tiny seeds within small sized fruit are ingested by many fruit eating animals. The seeds can germinate and grow almost anywhere they land, even in cracks in concrete. The small seedling begins to grow on its host, sending down aerial roots, and eventually strangling and replacing the host tree or structure.
The Chinese Banyan has a rounded dense crown with a smooth gray bark, milky sap, and long, thin, dangling aerial roots. It is pollinated by wasps. A tropical and subtropical species, the tree requires a warm climate and a humid atmosphere to thrive. The tree was widely distributed as an ornamental plant and is one of the most common street trees in warm climates. It is suitable for temperatures above 68 degrees F all year long, thus it is generally sold as a houseplant. High humidity (70% - 100%) is preferable and seems to favor the development of aerial roots. The species can be propagated easily by cuttings, either in water or directly in a substrate of sand or potting soil.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Root rot can occur from overwatering, Leaf spot and gray mold can also occur. Susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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'Ginseng'
- 'Green Island'
very popular houseplant, glossy, deep green leaves - 'Mini Flat Leaf'
dwarf, compact, used for bonsai, branches grow horizontally and downward, oval-shaped, glossy, dark green leaves
Used for bonsai, dense, glossy, dark green leaves, wide root and roots exposed 'Golden Gate'
Used for bonsai, gray trunk, small dark green oval leaves - 'Green Island'
- 'Ginseng', 'Golden Gate', 'Green Island', 'Mini Flat Leaf'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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'Ginseng'
- 'Green Island'
very popular houseplant, glossy, deep green leaves - 'Mini Flat Leaf'
dwarf, compact, used for bonsai, branches grow horizontally and downward, oval-shaped, glossy, dark green leaves
Used for bonsai, dense, glossy, dark green leaves, wide root and roots exposed 'Golden Gate'
Used for bonsai, gray trunk, small dark green oval leaves - 'Green Island'
- 'Ginseng', 'Golden Gate', 'Green Island', 'Mini Flat Leaf'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ficus
- Species:
- microcarpa
- Family:
- Moraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Has been used medicinally in parts of Asia. Also used as shade tree and, for this reason, is frequently used as an indoor tree and in bonsai.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- tropical and subtropical Asia
- Distribution:
- Introduced to Ascension, Bermuda, Caroline Islands, East Aegean Island, El Salvador, Florida, California, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Italy, Leeward Islands, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Ogasawara-shoto, Palestine, Peru, Reunion, Sicilia, Spain, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles.
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds feed on the fruit of the tree.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit develops from the same structure the flowers are held in. They start out green and ripen to a reddish shade.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Like other Ficus species, the flower is inverted. The reproductive structures are located within the teardrop shape.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leathery, 2 to 2 1/2 inch deep glossy green leaves with short, pointed, ridged tips.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Khaki colored stems that turn mustard colored when cut.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Understory Tree
- Problems:
- Weedy