Scientific Name : Ficus benjamina L. 'Variegata'
Common Name : Variegated Weeping Fig
Chinese Name : 花葉垂榕, 花葉垂葉榕, 斑葉垂榕
Family : MORACEAE
Local distribution status : Exotic species
| Origin | Ficus benjamina is native to South to Southwest China, and South Asia to Australia. |
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| Meanings of names | The cultivar epithet 'Variegata', giving in single quotation marks, depicts its variegated leaves which are a cultivated characteristic distinct from F. benjamina. |
| Ecology |
Plants are autotrophs. They do not need to obtain energy from other organisms, but rather layup peacefully under the sun. Chloroplast as a tiny but dominant organelle in plant cells, especially leaf cells, offers plants the ability to produce their own food through ‘photosynthesis’ and ‘respiration’. During the daytime, it utilizes the sunlight energy for manufacturing glucose; here is what we call photosynthesis. During the nighttime, it breaks down the glucose and carbon dioxide to obtain energy (adenosine triphosphate; ATP) that the plants need; here we refer the process to respiration. For the reason that only blue and red wavelengths of sunlight can be absorbed by chlorophyll (a type of green pigment in chloroplast) during photosynthesis, green wavelength is reflected back to our eyes and explains why leaves are green. Chloroplast renders plants the productivity, but also exposes them to the risk of herbivores. To escape from herbivores, some plants reduce their chlorophyll contents in leaves and become variegated. In other words, they sacrifice the food producing ability for not being too ‘vivid’. Although this leaf pattern does help them to get rid from herbivores, ironically, it turns out favourable to humans who intentionally cultivate plants into various foliar variegation patterns for ornamental interests. |
| Vitality | The tree shows a low demand to sunlight, humidity and temperature. However, since its shallow roots are extensive and grow dramatically fast, a good planting should be taken in open space with the consideration of underground utilities. For instance, power cables, optical fibers, and water pipes. |
| Application | Due to its unique foliage pattern, the tree is always planted in gardens and parks as a visual alternative of F. benjamina. It can serve a host of ornamental functions. It can either be planted in solitary or mixed in different greening configurations. Likewise, it is highly malleable for topiaries and hedges. |
| Growing habit | Evergreen tree. |
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| Height | To 20 m. |
| Root | Buttressed roots, aerial roots pendulous from old branches, lignified after reaching ground. |
| Stem | Bark grey, smooth, lateral branchlets elongated, drooping, glabrous. |
| Leaves | Simple leaves alternate. Blade thin leathery, lustrous adaxially, reduced green in mosaic pattern, ovate to ovate-elliptic, apex acuminate and drooping, entire and undulate, dense lateral veins. |
| Flower | Rarely flowering. |
| Fruit | Rarely fruiting. |
| Flowering period | / |
| Fruiting period | / |
Scientific name above is based on the website of Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section, Development Bureau:
https://www.greening.gov.hk/filemanager/greening/en/content_100/6_Ficus_benjamina_Variegata.pdf