Weeping Fig
Ficus benjamina
Planted in a garden at Eldoret, Kenya, March 2015.
TREE: In its native habitats of southeastern Asia this tree can reach 30 meters.
In cultivation it is typically much smaller with numerous slender drooping branches.
FLOWERS: Small greenish flowers go mostly unnoticed.
LEAVES: Elliptical leaves have smooth margins and long attenuate tips. Stems and leaves ooze
milky latex when damaged/broken. Cultivars with mottled white and green leaves are popular in cultivation.
The leaf above is colonized by sessile insects called Armored Scales.
RANGE: Widespread in cultivation and also used as an indoor house plant.
FRUIT: Fruit turn orange when ripe and soon attract many birds and
primates to feed.
UNARMED. No thorns, but latex can be irritating.