Mock Bodh Tree, Mock Peepul Tree

Scientific Name : Ficus rumphii Blume
Common Name : Mock Bodh Tree, Mock Peepul Tree
Chinese Name : 心葉榕, 假菩提樹
Family : MORACEAE
Local distribution status : Exotic species

Anecdotes on plants

Origins	West Yunnan. Also distributed in other Southeast Asian countries.
Meanings of names	As indicated in its Chinese name “Heart-leaved Fig (心葉榕)”, the leaf of the species is heart-shaped. Because of its similar appearance to the Bodh Tree (Ficus religiosa L.), the species is also called the Mock Bodh Tree.
True and fake Bodh Tree	Leaf apex of the real “Bodh Tree” are comparatively longer caudate, which is comparable to ¼ to half of the length of leaf blade. Conversely, the leaf apex of the Mock Bodh Tree is relatively shorter. Meanwhile, the petiole of the Mock Bodh Tree is also shorter, about 6 to 8 cm, whereas the petiole of Bodh Tree is relatively slender and longer, about 6.5 to 13 cm. Both species are commonly seen in Buddhist Temples and urban areas, but the Bodh Tree is more common overall.
Old and Valuable Tree	Two Mock Bodh Trees were listed as Old and Valuable Trees (OVTs) in Hong Kong. One is located in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (ARCHSD CW/27, https://ovt.greening.gov.hk/detail.aspx?id=477&m=13) and another one is found in Mong Kok Stadium (LCSD YTM/107, https://ovt.greening.gov.hk/detail.aspx?id=648&m=13). The former is larger in size, with a Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) about 2 m, 18 m in height and 37 m in crown width, it can be described as a giant! Go and appreciate this big tree when you are passing by the garden!

Traits for identification

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Remarks

Scientific name above is based on Hong Kong Herbarium website : https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=6934

Scientific names from other databases
― Flora of China : Ficus rumphii Blume
― Plants of the World Online : Ficus rumphii Blume

Reference

• Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). (2018). A Photographic Guide to Common Urban Trees of Hong Kong. 3^rd edition. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong. ISBN: 978-988-12021-3-0.
• Development Bureau. (2017). ARCHSD CW/27, Old and Valuable Tree Information. Old and Valuable Trees in Hong Kong. Retrieved 6^th May 2020, from: https://ovt.greening.gov.hk/detail.aspx?id=477&m=13
• Development Bureau. (2017). Species name: Ficus rumphii, Listing - By Species. Old and Valuable Trees in Hong Kong. Retrieved 6^th May 2020, from: https://ovt.greening.gov.hk/listtree.aspx?m=13&q=l&qt=3&species_id=375
• eFloras. (2008). Ficus rumphii Blume. Flora of China. [Online Edition]. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 8^th April 2020, from: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242322448
• Hong Kong Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department & South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2007-2011). Ficus rumphii Blume. 心葉榕. Flora of Hong Kong. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 8^th April 2020, from: https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/FloraOfHK/Species/6934/6934_S_E.pdf
• Hong Kong Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department & South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2007-2011). Ficus religiosa L. 菩提樹. Flora of Hong Kong. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 6^th May 2020, from: https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/FloraOfHK/Species/6933/6933_S_E.pdf
• Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), HKSAR Government. (2017). Ficus rumphii. Old and Valuable Trees, Plants, Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 6^th May 2020, from: https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/parks/hkzbg/plants/tree/asdcw27.html
• 中國科學院植物誌編輯委員會。（1959-2004）。〈心葉榕Ficus rumphii Blume.〉。《中國植物誌》。[網上版本]。於2020年4月8日擷取自 : http://www.iplant.cn/info/Ficus%20rumphii?t=z
• 香港園藝學會、中國科學院華南植物園。（2006）。《香港古樹名木》。香港 : 天地圖書有限公司。