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Ficus microcarpa

L.f. (1782)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Rosales Family: Moraceae Genus: Ficus

Chinese banyan, indian laurel, malayan banyan

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Variable in habit, often epiphytic, subscandent shrubs when young, in maturity spreading evergreen trees.

Stems: Large branches.

Roots: Numerous aerial roots hanging from the trunk and branches, these sometimes reaching the soil to form pillar-like roots.

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades elliptic to broadly elliptic or obovate oblong, usually 5–8 cm long, 3–5 cm wide. Surfaces glabrous, variable, coriaceous. Margins entire. Pinnately veined. Petioles 0.6–2 cm long. Stipules present, caducous.

Flowers: Flowers in syconia, sessile, arising among or just below the leaves, depressed–globose, 6–10 mm in diameter, subtended by 3 broadly ovate, ± persistent bract. Flowers unisexual, small, actinomorphic, the flowers of 3 types, staminate, pistillate, and gall (sterile pistillate). Calyx of 3–6 sepals. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 1–2(–6), short, erect, absent in pistillate flowers; anthers dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary superior, erect, 2-carpellate; ovules 1 per cell; style solitary.

Fruit: Achenes ovoid. Seeds with membranous integuments.

Ploidy: 2n = 24?

Habitat: Urban areas and highly disturbed; low elevation habitats.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Accepted Subtaxa (in Hawai'i) (1)

Ficus microcarpa var. microcarpa

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) Only found in cultivation
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Birds
Other Animals

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Suppl. Pl.: 442 (1782)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:924 (O, M, H); Lorence et al. 1995:41 (K); Hughes 1995:7 (Mo); Warren & Herbst 1994:2 (Ka); Starr et al. 2002:21 (Mi); Staples & Herbst 2005:408 (KEY), 409 (DESCR); Oppenheimer 2007:28 (L)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Ficus microcarpa Lanai Occasional on rock faces and in gulches. Preserved_Specimen Trees. Oppenheimer, H.L. 100623 Lanai BISH 2006-10-18
2 Ficus microcarpa Moaula: ESE side Emerging through the metal landing pad Preserved_Specimen Ca. 8 feet tall. Warren, S. 931 Kahoolawe BISH 1993-03-29
3 Ficus microcarpa Haena Park, Hanalei Associated w/Ficus pumila, Syzygium, Psidium. Preserved_Specimen Tree 8 meters tall; dbh 6 inches. Leaves simple; alternate; obovate to elliptic; tip mucronate; to 7 cm. long x 4.2 cm. wide. Fruit an achene in pairs at leaf axils. Spence, G. 155 Kauai BISH 1973-04-13
4 Ficus microcarpa Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range Growing out of a sinkhole. With Leucaena leucocephala, Prosopis pallida, and Asystasia gangetica. Preserved_Specimen 12-15 m tall. Pale gray bark with pale red/pink wood. Milky sap. Coriaceous leaves. BISH staff 63 Oahu BISH 2021-05-11
5 Ficus microcarpa Luakaha by stream Preserved_Specimen large, tall tree; trunk with aerial roots wound around it Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1941-06-12
6 Ficus microcarpa Koloa District. Near Kikuiula boat harbor at the junction of Lawai rd and Amio Rd. Cultivated tree in park Preserved_Specimen Tree of 6 meters, leaves dark green and heavily impacted by insect galls; fruits paired, globose, yellowish-pibnk colored; aerial roots present along branches. Brock, K. 979 Kauai BISH 2017-04-21
7 Ficus microcarpa Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Lawai Valley, across road at boundary of Bamboo Bridge and the Medicinal Area With Leucaena, Pithecellobium and Rivina. Preserved_Specimen Tree of 18 feet. Leaves dark, dull-green above, pale-green below. Fruit whitish-green. Flynn, T.W. 2633 Kauai BISH 1987-11-18
8 Ficus microcarpa Waimea District. On small cliff shelf ~3m above rocks N of Polihale beach. Dry seaside cliff. Myoporum sandwicense, Ricinus communis, Capparis sandwichiana, Leucaena leucocephala Preserved_Specimen Sprawling shrub 10m long, 3m tall; lots of short upright stems; leaves dark glossy green, opposite. Deans, S.M. 22 Kauai BISH 2016-01-25
9 Ficus microcarpa Olinda Pipe Line Preserved_Specimen Fruit pale purple. Woolford, H.A. 327 Maui BISH 1955-12-25
10 Ficus microcarpa Tern Islet Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 1659 French Frigate Shoals BISH 1961-09-02
11 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Makiki; cultivated in yard Preserved_Specimen Spreading tree with drooping branches, figs dry. Fosberg, F.R. 27153 Oahu BISH 1946-11-03
12 Ficus microcarpa Kohala Mountain Arboretum Preserved_Specimen Masny aerial roots. Gray bark. Condit, I.J. 171 Hawaii BISH 1965-03-01
13 Ficus microcarpa Kawainui Marsh; at former site of Kailua Nursery Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 144 Oahu BISH 1976-07-17
14 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, Thomas Sq., makai-ewa corner Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. 97 Oahu BISH 1927-12-19
15 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus. Biomedical Science Complex Preserved_Specimen Spreading tree 14 m. tall; having a few thin secondary trunks formed from adventitious root growth on the branches. Lau, J. 1243 Oahu BISH 1985-07-22
16 Ficus microcarpa Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range Preserved_Specimen Small tree. Bearing one fruit. BISH staff 61 Oahu BISH 2021-05-11
17 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, Queen's Hospital Preserved_Specimen 20+' tree, wide-spreading; fruit white to pink Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1953-09-08
18 Ficus microcarpa ahupuaa of Halepuaa Forest Reserve, Puna District Preserved_Specimen ESP Field Crew Hawaii BISH 1979-10-05
19 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Manoa Valley; H.L.Lyon Arboretum, SA10-R199-T1, planted in 1922 Preserved_Specimen Anderson, D. 1360 Oahu BISH 1959-05-07
20 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, Manoa Valley, H.L.Lyon Arboretum, SA Preserved_Specimen Several trees. Some buds reddish-brown, some green, on same tree. Anderson, D. Oahu BISH 1959-05-07
21 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, Queen's Hospital Preserved_Specimen 20+' tree, wide-spreading; fruit white to pink Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1953-09-08
22 Ficus microcarpa Pearl City, Peninsula, Girl Scout Camp Preserved_Specimen Low-branching tree. Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1940-10-31
23 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. 620501000 Oahu BISH 1962-05-21
24 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Manoa; HSPA Plantation Preserved_Specimen 15 feet tall. Grant, M.L. 7509 Oahu BISH 1934-10-29
25 Ficus microcarpa Nuuanu Pali Park, Hwy. 61 Preserved_Specimen tree to 5 m tall; fruit small, yellow/green to pink; bark white; roots prominent adventitious Annable, C.R. 3100 Oahu BISH 1996-10-31
26 Ficus microcarpa Kaunakakai UNKNOWN . Coordinates do not match to country in source data. Not found a country in reverser geocoding. Bioversity International C. R. Annable Molokai HAPI 10/31/1996
27 Ficus microcarpa ahupuaa of Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District UNKNOWN . Coordinates do not match to country in source data. Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria Vladimir J. Krajina V180256 Hawaii HAPI 2/10/1962
28 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Hillebrand Garden Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 12532 Oahu BISH 1915-11-01
29 Ficus microcarpa Puhi area at S end of Lihue; Kauai Nursery and Landscape Nursery Preserved_Specimen Tree 13 m high with few aerial roots, trunk smooth with braided appearance, 60 cm diam. Leaves dark green above. Figs yellowish brown. Cultivated as ornamental tree Lorence, D.H. 10184 Kauai BISH 2010-04-20
30 Ficus microcarpa Makai-Waikiki corner of Kinau and Kapiolani St Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. 98 Oahu BISH 1927-12-19
31 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Kapiolani Park Preserved_Specimen Forbes, A. Oahu BISH 1930-07-10
32 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, by road to Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Edmondson, C.H. Oahu BISH 1943-12-30
33 Ficus microcarpa ahupuaa of Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District Preserved_Specimen ESP Field Crew Hawaii BISH 1979-10-05
34 Ficus microcarpa Waialae Nui Ridge, Halekoa Drive, ca. 907 feet above Ahaku Place. Preserved_Specimen Allison, A. Oahu BISH 2017-09-10
35 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, near Lusitana St Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1953-09-07
36 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, Kamehameha Schools Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. Oahu BISH 1952-01-18
37 Ficus microcarpa Hillebrand garden Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 12532 Oahu BISH 1915-11-01
38 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Foster Botanic Gardens Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. 62229 Oahu BISH 1962-01-07
39 Ficus microcarpa Kalaupapa; peninsula, Heli LZ grass Preserved_Specimen subscandent shrub Wysong, M.L. 538 Molokai BISH 2004-12-09
40 Ficus microcarpa Waimea District. Haeleele Valley, about 0.25 miles up, in the middle of the drainage. Dry forest, at bottom entrance to valley, about 0.35 miles from the beach. Predominantely non-native vegetation. Rocky substrate. Open canopy. W/Aleurites moluccana, Leucaena leucocephala, Myoporum sandwicense, Lantana camara, Erythrina sandwicensis, Prosopis pallida, Acacia confusa, Grevillea robusta, Melia azedarach Preserved_Specimen Large banyan tree, about 25 feet tall. Lots of galls on leaves Wide canopy spread. Immature syconium light, yellowish in color with speckles, singularly or in pairs along branches. Walsh, S. 427 Kauai BISH 2017-05-20
41 Ficus microcarpa Koloa District, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai Valley. Bamboo Bridge crossover, on E. side of valley In secondary vegetation with Leucaena leucocephala and Syzygium cuminii. Naturalized throughout Lawai Valley. Preserved_Specimen Tree 8-10 m. with banyan habit, 2 trunks 40 & 60 cm. diam., aerial roots. Leaves glossy dark-green above. Fruits pink. Lorence, D.H. 7613 Kauai BISH 1994-12-09
42 Ficus microcarpa Kahului, Henry Baldwin Park (beach) Planted, introduced. Preserved_Specimen Tree 30 ft., 1 1/2 ft. diam. Little Jr., E.L. 31144 Maui BISH 1976-08-27
43 Ficus microcarpa South Kona District, road to Hookena Beach Disturbed roadside in Leucaena/Pithecellobium shrubland. Behind Beach. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5939 Hawaii BISH 1988-03-10
44 Ficus microcarpa Kaluakoi, betw Kakaauuku & Kahuuwai Gulches, along rd to Moomomi Beach Dry pasture land. Preserved_Specimen Large tree. Herbst, D.R. 5100 Molokai BISH 1974-11-12
45 Ficus microcarpa Na Pali Coast, Nualolo Kai growing near shore with Leucaena leucocephala and Pluchea odorata Preserved_Specimen Tree 8-10' tall, fruit pinkish-orange Clarke, G. 429 Kauai BISH 1979-07-20
46 Ficus microcarpa Lanai Occasional on rock faces and in gulches. Preserved_Specimen Trees. Oppenheimer, H.L. 100623 Lanai BISH 2006-10-18
47 Ficus microcarpa Moaula: ESE side Emerging through the metal landing pad Preserved_Specimen Ca. 8 feet tall. Warren, S. 931 Kahoolawe BISH 1993-03-29
48 Ficus microcarpa Haena Park, Hanalei Associated w/Ficus pumila, Syzygium, Psidium. Preserved_Specimen Tree 8 meters tall; dbh 6 inches. Leaves simple; alternate; obovate to elliptic; tip mucronate; to 7 cm. long x 4.2 cm. wide. Fruit an achene in pairs at leaf axils. Spence, G. 155 Kauai BISH 1973-04-13
49 Ficus microcarpa Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range Growing out of a sinkhole. With Leucaena leucocephala, Prosopis pallida, and Asystasia gangetica. Preserved_Specimen 12-15 m tall. Pale gray bark with pale red/pink wood. Milky sap. Coriaceous leaves. BISH staff 63 Oahu BISH 2021-05-11
50 Ficus microcarpa Luakaha by stream Preserved_Specimen large, tall tree; trunk with aerial roots wound around it Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1941-06-12
51 Ficus microcarpa Koloa District. Near Kikuiula boat harbor at the junction of Lawai rd and Amio Rd. Cultivated tree in park Preserved_Specimen Tree of 6 meters, leaves dark green and heavily impacted by insect galls; fruits paired, globose, yellowish-pibnk colored; aerial roots present along branches. Brock, K. 979 Kauai BISH 2017-04-21
52 Ficus microcarpa Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Lawai Valley, across road at boundary of Bamboo Bridge and the Medicinal Area With Leucaena, Pithecellobium and Rivina. Preserved_Specimen Tree of 18 feet. Leaves dark, dull-green above, pale-green below. Fruit whitish-green. Flynn, T.W. 2633 Kauai BISH 1987-11-18
53 Ficus microcarpa Waimea District. On small cliff shelf ~3m above rocks N of Polihale beach. Dry seaside cliff. Myoporum sandwicense, Ricinus communis, Capparis sandwichiana, Leucaena leucocephala Preserved_Specimen Sprawling shrub 10m long, 3m tall; lots of short upright stems; leaves dark glossy green, opposite. Deans, S.M. 22 Kauai BISH 2016-01-25
54 Ficus microcarpa Olinda Pipe Line Preserved_Specimen Fruit pale purple. Woolford, H.A. 327 Maui BISH 1955-12-25
55 Ficus microcarpa Tern Islet Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 1659 French Frigate Shoals BISH 1961-09-02
56 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Makiki; cultivated in yard Preserved_Specimen Spreading tree with drooping branches, figs dry. Fosberg, F.R. 27153 Oahu BISH 1946-11-03
57 Ficus microcarpa Kohala Mountain Arboretum Preserved_Specimen Masny aerial roots. Gray bark. Condit, I.J. 171 Hawaii BISH 1965-03-01
58 Ficus microcarpa Kawainui Marsh; at former site of Kailua Nursery Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 144 Oahu BISH 1976-07-17
59 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, Thomas Sq., makai-ewa corner Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. 97 Oahu BISH 1927-12-19
60 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus. Biomedical Science Complex Preserved_Specimen Spreading tree 14 m. tall; having a few thin secondary trunks formed from adventitious root growth on the branches. Lau, J. 1243 Oahu BISH 1985-07-22
61 Ficus microcarpa Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range Preserved_Specimen Small tree. Bearing one fruit. BISH staff 61 Oahu BISH 2021-05-11
62 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, Queen's Hospital Preserved_Specimen 20+' tree, wide-spreading; fruit white to pink Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1953-09-08
63 Ficus microcarpa ahupuaa of Halepuaa Forest Reserve, Puna District Preserved_Specimen ESP Field Crew Hawaii BISH 1979-10-05
64 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Manoa Valley; H.L.Lyon Arboretum, SA10-R199-T1, planted in 1922 Preserved_Specimen Anderson, D. 1360 Oahu BISH 1959-05-07
65 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, Manoa Valley, H.L.Lyon Arboretum, SA Preserved_Specimen Several trees. Some buds reddish-brown, some green, on same tree. Anderson, D. Oahu BISH 1959-05-07
66 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, Queen's Hospital Preserved_Specimen 20+' tree, wide-spreading; fruit white to pink Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1953-09-08
67 Ficus microcarpa Pearl City, Peninsula, Girl Scout Camp Preserved_Specimen Low-branching tree. Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1940-10-31
68 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. 620501000 Oahu BISH 1962-05-21
69 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Manoa; HSPA Plantation Preserved_Specimen 15 feet tall. Grant, M.L. 7509 Oahu BISH 1934-10-29
70 Ficus microcarpa Nuuanu Pali Park, Hwy. 61 Preserved_Specimen tree to 5 m tall; fruit small, yellow/green to pink; bark white; roots prominent adventitious Annable, C.R. 3100 Oahu BISH 1996-10-31
71 Ficus microcarpa Kaunakakai UNKNOWN . Coordinates do not match to country in source data. Not found a country in reverser geocoding. Bioversity International C. R. Annable Molokai HAPI 10/31/1996
72 Ficus microcarpa ahupuaa of Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District UNKNOWN . Coordinates do not match to country in source data. Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria Vladimir J. Krajina V180256 Hawaii HAPI 2/10/1962
73 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Hillebrand Garden Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 12532 Oahu BISH 1915-11-01
74 Ficus microcarpa Puhi area at S end of Lihue; Kauai Nursery and Landscape Nursery Preserved_Specimen Tree 13 m high with few aerial roots, trunk smooth with braided appearance, 60 cm diam. Leaves dark green above. Figs yellowish brown. Cultivated as ornamental tree Lorence, D.H. 10184 Kauai BISH 2010-04-20
75 Ficus microcarpa Makai-Waikiki corner of Kinau and Kapiolani St Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. 98 Oahu BISH 1927-12-19
76 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Kapiolani Park Preserved_Specimen Forbes, A. Oahu BISH 1930-07-10
77 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, by road to Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Edmondson, C.H. Oahu BISH 1943-12-30
78 Ficus microcarpa ahupuaa of Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District Preserved_Specimen ESP Field Crew Hawaii BISH 1979-10-05
79 Ficus microcarpa Waialae Nui Ridge, Halekoa Drive, ca. 907 feet above Ahaku Place. Preserved_Specimen Allison, A. Oahu BISH 2017-09-10
80 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, near Lusitana St Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1953-09-07
81 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu, Kamehameha Schools Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. Oahu BISH 1952-01-18
82 Ficus microcarpa Hillebrand garden Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 12532 Oahu BISH 1915-11-01
83 Ficus microcarpa Honolulu; Foster Botanic Gardens Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. 62229 Oahu BISH 1962-01-07
84 Ficus microcarpa Kalaupapa; peninsula, Heli LZ grass Preserved_Specimen subscandent shrub Wysong, M.L. 538 Molokai BISH 2004-12-09
85 Ficus microcarpa Waimea District. Haeleele Valley, about 0.25 miles up, in the middle of the drainage. Dry forest, at bottom entrance to valley, about 0.35 miles from the beach. Predominantely non-native vegetation. Rocky substrate. Open canopy. W/Aleurites moluccana, Leucaena leucocephala, Myoporum sandwicense, Lantana camara, Erythrina sandwicensis, Prosopis pallida, Acacia confusa, Grevillea robusta, Melia azedarach Preserved_Specimen Large banyan tree, about 25 feet tall. Lots of galls on leaves Wide canopy spread. Immature syconium light, yellowish in color with speckles, singularly or in pairs along branches. Walsh, S. 427 Kauai BISH 2017-05-20
86 Ficus microcarpa Koloa District, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai Valley. Bamboo Bridge crossover, on E. side of valley In secondary vegetation with Leucaena leucocephala and Syzygium cuminii. Naturalized throughout Lawai Valley. Preserved_Specimen Tree 8-10 m. with banyan habit, 2 trunks 40 & 60 cm. diam., aerial roots. Leaves glossy dark-green above. Fruits pink. Lorence, D.H. 7613 Kauai BISH 1994-12-09
87 Ficus microcarpa Kahului, Henry Baldwin Park (beach) Planted, introduced. Preserved_Specimen Tree 30 ft., 1 1/2 ft. diam. Little Jr., E.L. 31144 Maui BISH 1976-08-27
88 Ficus microcarpa South Kona District, road to Hookena Beach Disturbed roadside in Leucaena/Pithecellobium shrubland. Behind Beach. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5939 Hawaii BISH 1988-03-10
89 Ficus microcarpa Kaluakoi, betw Kakaauuku & Kahuuwai Gulches, along rd to Moomomi Beach Dry pasture land. Preserved_Specimen Large tree. Herbst, D.R. 5100 Molokai BISH 1974-11-12
90 Ficus microcarpa Na Pali Coast, Nualolo Kai growing near shore with Leucaena leucocephala and Pluchea odorata Preserved_Specimen Tree 8-10' tall, fruit pinkish-orange Clarke, G. 429 Kauai BISH 1979-07-20
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