Plant · GBIF taxon 5361932
Weeping fig
Ficus benjaminaAlso known as Benjamin Fig, Ficus Tree, Golden Fig, Java Fig
Weeping figs grow into spreading canopy trees with graceful, cascading branches and smooth gray bark in their native tropical habitats. Drooping glossy green leaves filter sunlight, while specialized fig wasps pollinate their hidden flowers inside small, fleshy figs. Widely cultivated as houseplants worldwide, wild trees produce aerial prop roots that drop to the ground and develop into sturdy secondary trunks.
EvergreenTropicalOrnamental
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Scale Insects
- Mealybugs
- Thrips
ThreatsHabitat conversion in wild ranges, severe frost
HabitatsTropical rainforests, monsoon forests, urban parks, indoors
Life span50–100 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderRosales
- FamilyMoraceae
- GenusFicus
- SpeciesFicus benjamina
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Milky latex sap irritates skin and is toxic to pets if ingested; wear gloves during care.
- Why it is dangerous
- The milky latex sap contains ficin enzymes and psoralens that irritate human skin and cause severe gastrointestinal distress in dogs and cats.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for arching branches with glossy, oval leaves ending in pointed tips, smooth pale bark, and white sap oozing from cut stems.
- What to do
- Wear protective gloves while pruning or repotting, and position indoor plants away from pets and drafty entryways.
Responsible observation
- Pruning Care: Wear gloves when trimming stems to prevent milky latex from contacting bare skin.
- Indoor Placement: Position in bright, indirect light and keep away from cold drafts to avoid leaf drop.
- Pet Protection: Place potted specimens out of reach of household pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
Close Relative (c) Yoav Daniel Bar-Ness, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Yoav Daniel Bar-Ness · cc-by
Close Relative Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Aadi Kulkarni, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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