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GENERAL
Origin
:
sub-tropical,
tropical
Humidity
:
semi-humid, very
humid
Propagation :
cuttings, aerial
layering
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
vulnerable
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
high
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (2000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
tree, shrub
Height
:
3 m-15 m
Spread
:
2 m-15 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
pale yellow
Period
:
April - May
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
drupe(fleshy/
juicy)
Fruit size
:
0.5 cm
The Weeping Fig, native to southeast Asia, is a lushly tropical and elegant tree, more likely to
be found as an indoor plant in Arriyadh than growing outdoors. Popular throughout the world
in homes, offices and shopping malls, F. benjamina will withstand Arriyadh’s climate, but only
when fully protected in a garden. In the past, it was occasionally found outdoors, but heavy frosts
and scorching sun in recent years have caused its disappearance. With its dense foliage and gra-
cefully weeping branches, it will grow relatively quickly in a favourable location to a height of 15
metres with equal spread. Glossy, dark-green, ovate leaves with pointed tips grow up to 10 cm
long. The fruit is very small and red when ripe. In Arriyadh it is best in a warm-winter patio or
garden in semi-shade. F. benjamina prefers deep, moist soils with good drainage and requires
regular irrigation, more during the first years, and after establishment it will withstand short pe-
riods of drought. It needs wind protection when young. Propagation is by cuttings or air-layering.
Occasionally cholorotic in Arriyadh’s soils, trees are prone to attacks by mealybugs. Expanding
roots can be invasive and cause damage to underground pipes and paving; they also make it diffi-
cult for other plants to grow close by. As accent or focal point trees, they are also very attractive
in containers. Trees can be clipped to shape and regular pruning will improve appearance, but
pruning must be drastic if the branches are caught by a hard frost.
145
Ficus benjamina,
Moraceae
Benjamina,
Weeping Fig