Species Overview

Native to: Asia

Weeping fig is a popular landscape and house plant that has been introduced globally as an ornamental and escaped cultivation in some places. While ecological impacts have not been documented in Florida, it has been reported to cause structural damage where planted heavily in urban areas.

Species Characteristics

Family: Moraceae

Habit: Evergreen tree reaching 40 to 50 feet and spreading 25-30 feet.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, long-tipped, and glossy, 2-5 in. Ovate-elliptic to oblong, acuminate, rotund, entire, glabrous, coriaceous, 8-12 pairs of lateral veins. Folded in towards the midrib and droop down towards the ground.

Flowers/Fruit: Flowers and fruits are enclosed in a fleshy sac that turns from green to orange-red to red and then purplish black. A globose to slightly oblong fig, in pairs, green maturing to reddish then purple-black.

Distribution in Florida: Lee, St. Lucie, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Impacts

The root system can damage infrastructure and has been documented to crack pipes and sprinkler lines, buckle pavement, invade pools and clog toilets.

Do not plant.

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None known.

Sensitive to triclopyr herbicides as a basal or cut-stump treatment. Consult your local UF IFAS Extension Office for management recommendations.