Chinese banyan

Ficus microcarpa

This tree is a 'strangler' fig; it often starts life as an epiphyte on another tree, eventually sending down roots that envelop and outcompete its host.

Scientific name

Ficus microcarpa

Taxonomy

Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Rosales › Moraceae › Ficus

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Population trend

increasing

Biome

forest

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, limestone hills, and frequently naturalized in urban environments.

Diet

Photosynthetic (requires full sun to partial shade, water, and atmospheric carbon dioxide).

Range

China, Southeast Asia, Australia, India, United States (Florida, Hawaii, California)

Size

15-25 meters tall with a canopy spread often exceeding its height.

Lifespan

100 to 1,000 years

Active

diurnal

Threats

Generally resilient, though susceptible to specific pests like the weeping fig thrips and potential habitat loss in native primary forests.

Safe to approach?

Harmless. This species is safe to approach, but avoid contact with the milky white sap (latex) found in the leaves and stems, as it can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water.

Ficus microcarpa , also known as Chinese banyan , Malayan banyan , Taiwan banyan , Indian laurel , curtain fig , or gajumaru (ガジュマル), is a tree native in the range from China through Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the Malay Archipelago, New Guinea, Australia, the Ryukyu Islands, and New Caledonia. It is widely planted as a shade tree and frequently misidentified as F. retusa or as F. nitida ( F. benjamina ).

Photo: 葉子, CC0, via iNaturalist

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