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About
A popular and vigorous woody evergreen liana, *Ficus pumila* is known by common names such as creeping fig or climbing fig, prized for its ability to cover ground, climb walls, and adhere to various surfaces. The plant is notable for its small, juvenile foliage and its ability to secrete a translucent latex that aids in its climbing habit.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is a woody evergreen liana, growing to 2.5–12 m tall. The leaves are oval, cordate, asymmetrical, with opposite veins. The juvenile foliage is much smaller and thinner than the mature leaves. It possesses aerial roots that secrete a translucent latex which hardens upon drying, allowing the stems to adhere to supports.
Distribution & habitat
Native to East Asia, specifically southern China, southern Japan, and Vietnam. It is also naturalized in parts of the southeastern and south-central United States.
Ecology
The plant is pollinated by the fig wasp *Wiebesia pumilae* (syn. *Blastophaga pumilae*) and is fed upon by larvae of the butterfly *Marpesia petreus*.
Cultivation notes
It is hardy down to 1 °C (34 °F) and is fast-growing, making it suitable for use in gardens and landscapes to cover ground and climb structures. However, its secondary roots or tendrils can cause structural damage to buildings with fragile mortar or materials.
History & etymology
The Latin specific epithet pumila means "dwarf," referring to the very small leaves of the plant.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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