The Small Leaf Fig ( Ficus obliqua ) is a large evergreen tree, with a spreading canopy. It is native to southeast Asia and eastern Australia. This species is a strangling fig with large aerial and buttress roots. Although the Ficus obliqua is not as commonly seen as a bonsai specimen as some other species of Ficus, due to its smaller leaf size, it is possibly one of the best to bonsai; especially considering it has the highly decorative trunk and root growth, that is sought after in other species by many bonsai growers. The Small Leaf Fig also makes for a fabulous shade tree in parks and gardens.
In Australia this tree grows in eastern warm temperate to subtropical regions of New South Wales and can be found as high as tropical northern Queensland. This species will tolerate temperate climates as long as temperatures do not go much below zero. It can be grown in a pot either indoors or outdoors and kept at an acceptable size. However is not suitable for outdoor growing in a standard sized yard.
Growth
The Ficus obliqua is a large tree that has been known to reach heights of up to 60 metres, with similar canopy. They more often average around 10 to 40 metres in height though. Their is not a lot of information recorded in regards to how large the buttress roots can get above ground but we have measured a specimen in NSW that had roots along the ground that were almost 9 metres in length and at the base of the tree were over 6 feet tall. The leaves are green and oval in shape, growing up to approximately 6-12 cm in length. Fruit is small growing usually no larger than a blueberry at around 1 cm in diameter and are edible.
We don’t recommend attempting to grow this species to a full size tree unless you live on acreage and have the room; like many other large Ficus species it can damage footpaths and other structures if planted too close.
The Small Leaf Fig is easily kept as an indoor potted plant in colder regions and can easily be kept at a small size with pruning.
FAMILY:
Moraceae
CLIMATE:
Warm Temperate – Tropical. This species can be kept as a potted plant that is moved indoors over winter in cooler climates.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
0°C to 38°C / 37 to 100°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist well draining soil types, growing best in nutrient rich soils.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
10 to 60 metres (32-196 feet)
WIDTH:
10 to 60 metres (32-196 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.2
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by fig wasps, Monoecious.
MATURITY:
5-10 years
GERMINATION RATES:
68-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 800
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes, used in traditional native medicine.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes, but not commonly eaten. Not cultivated for this purpose.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge). 1 year
FACTS ABOUT FICUS OBLIQUA (Small Leaf Fig)
The Small Leaf Fig is a source of food for many of our native Australian bird and mammal species.
Ficus obliqua are believed to live to over 500 years of age!
The species is also called a Strangler Fig due to its nature of attaching itself to host plants and eventually killing them. Strangler fig seeds can germinate in the branches of other species; and will send down aerial roots from there. Eventually they steal all water, food and nutrients from the host tree, which kills them and allows the fig to take over the space once belonging to the other tree.
