Fiddle Leaf Fig, Ficus lyrata

FAMILY:
Moraceae

ORIGIN:
Africa

DESCRIPTION:
A banyan fig which can grow 40 – 50 ft. tall; develops aerial or buttressing roots to help anchor it; leaves have a broad apex and narrow middle (resembling a fiddle) with a leathery texture and wavy margin

CULTIVATION:
Keep soil evenly moist; fertilize bi-weekly; bright indirect light

PROPAGATION:
Air layering

COMMENTS:
Ficus trees are estimated to have existed on earth for 60 – 80 million years. The conservatory uses foliage from Ficus lyrata to feed the Malaysian jungle nymphs, Heteropteryx dilatata.

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