Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
Sonoran strangler fig
Family Name:
Moraceae
Botanical Name:
Ficus pertusa
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Ficus pertusa is a tree that usually can grow to 13-40 feet tall, but a few specimens have been recorded as large as 100 feet tall (1). Large have numerous aerial roots descending from its branches (1). The bark is light grey and smooth. The leaves are elliptic 2-4.5 inches long and 1-2.5 inches wide (2). It produces small green figs with brown or red spots 0.8-1.2 cm in diameter when mature (1,3).
Compound:
Fic per
Geographic Origin:
Mexico/Central America
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The common name of this plant, “Strangler Fig”, comes from its tendency to be an epiphyte, growing in the branch of another tree. Once it is old enough, it will send down an aerial root to the ground make its own trunk. As it matures, it will grow around the tree, giving the impression of strangling it. (1,4).
Cultivation Notes:
It is recommended to start this plant in a partially shaded area with well-draining soil. It can be moved to a sunny area after it becomes more mature (1).
Ethnobotany:
The bark fibers of Ficus pertusa have traditionally been used in production of bark paper by the Nahñus of San Pablito village in the Sierra Norte de Puebla region of México (5). The crushed bark is also used as a dressing on hernias and broken limbs by the Tacana people in northwestern Bolivia (6).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
16 - 20 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Color:
Green
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Tender
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
