The White Fig ( Ficus virens ) is a semi deciduous tree with a spreading canopy. It is native to tropical areas of southeast Asia, India and Australia. This species is a strangling fig with large aerial and buttress roots. As an older tree, they can almost appear to be something from a movie scene; with an ancient, haunted look. The White Fig makes a fantastic feature tree in parks and gardens and is suitable for growing as a bonsai.
In Australia this tree can be found in Western Australia; the Northern Territory; Queensland and as far south as Sydney in New South Wales. The Ficus virens tolerates temperate climates as long as temperatures do not go 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.
Other common names for this tree are Grey Fig; Mountain Fig; Pilkhan; Ampulu; Phak Hueak and Phak Lueat.
Growth
The Ficus virens is a medium sized tree, that can reach heights of 20-30 metres. The canopy of this tree is often wider than its height, but this can be dependent on whether aerial roots develop. Technically these aerial roots are separate trees, although they can appear to be one large tree. Its leaves emerge a pink colour and develop into a deep green. They are ovate in shape and grow to approximately 5-20 cm in length, by 4-8 cm wide. The White Fig is one of only a few deciduous trees that live in the rainforest. Its leaf loss is short lived, lasting only for 1-2 weeks; often with new buds ready to open before the last leaves have fallen.
Fruit is small growing usually no larger than a blueberry at around 1 cm in diameter. The fruit is edible and fruiting occurs twice a year in ideal conditions.
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.
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:
2°C to 36°C / 36 to 97°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist well draining soil types, growing best in nutrient rich soils.
LOCATION:
Part Shade – Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 30 metres (98 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 40 metres (131 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.2
GROWTH TYPE:
Semi-deciduous.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by fig wasps, Monoecious.
MATURITY:
4-10 years
GERMINATION RATES:
62-81%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 3000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Used in traditional native medicine.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes, but not commonly eaten or cultivated for this purpose.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge). 1 year
FACTS ABOUT FICUS VIRENS (White Fig)
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.
There is a large specimen of Ficus virens in the Atherton Tablelands, in North Queensland. It has become a popular attraction for tourists and has been named ‘The Curtain Fig’. There is also a White Fig at the Sydney Botanical Gardens; but it does not have the spectacular aerial roots of the one in North Queensland.
The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable in Thailand, they are also used in some curry recipes.
