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In the Gardens

Weeping Fig

Ficus benjamina

Bloom time

All around the year.

Characteristics

The giant tree that may grow up to 20 m (22 yd.) tall can develop various trunks and spreading branches with aerial roots. The oval, tapered leaves are quite small and similar to amber leaves but dispose of a milky sap. The inconspicuous blooms develop fig-like, red fruits (Ø 1 cm (0,4‘‘)).

Site:

You will find the Weeping Fig in parks up to an altitude of 200 m (220 yd.) above sea lev-el. Either as a single tree or in groups it may decorate a square and provide shade simulta-neously (e.g. at Largo dos Milagres in Machico, at the viewpoint in Rua das Cruzes, close to the Quinta das Cruzes (Funchal)). It may also line avenues like the Avenida do Mar, Funchal.

Interesting to know:

The Weeping Fig is native to Malaysia; anyway it is cultivated today in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. Younger specimens are used as indoor trees in many Central European hous-es. It is closely related to the Indian Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica). The Common Fig Tree (Ficus carica), native to the Mediterranean region, is another representative of this species-rich ge-nus. Single specimens of the latter are cultivat-ed on Madeira as useful plants (mainly in the northeast close to Faial and São Roque do Faial).

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