You can detect the Ficus plants with their simple smooth elliptic or obovate leaves, although various species vary in size and shape from narrow to wide, small to large. For example, Ficus deltoidea has small obovate leaves but Ficus maclellandii has long narrow leaves. If you want to find the name of your exotic Ficus tree, join us in this article to tell you about Ficus identification by leaf. I will provide images to identify Ficus species and varieties.
I have PhD in plant protection science and work as a horticultural counsellor. I love plants, especially houseplants and today decided to write this post to share my experience and knowledge in Ficus species identification. Don’t forget I will walk with you during this post and you can ask me your questions below this page. If you are ready, let’s get going.
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💡 I love Ficus trees and strongly suggest them for your home, office and garden, Do you know why?
➡ But be cautious, Ficus species are not safe plants for cats and dogs and are also toxic for kids. |
➡ You can also hear the audio version of this article.
Ficus Species Identification By Leaf’s Images
What does a ficus tree look like? Ficus trees usually have large, glossy, and dark green leaves with distinctive veining patterns that grow in a rosette form. Some of them can produce fruits and flowers, However, they are popular because of their stunning leaves that give a tropical view to your home.
In the following, I will show you pictures of ficus species and varieties and help you identify your Ficus tree by leaf. Let us dive into leaf shape ficus species identification.
Banana Leaf Fig
Scientific name: Ficus maclellandii (Ficus alii)
Common names: Long leaf fig
Leaves shape: it has long drooping leathery green leaves on a brown-grey long stem.
Narrow Leaf Fig
Scientific name: Ficus binnendijkii
Common names: it is also known as long-leaf fig
Leaves shape: its long leaves are dark green and very similar to the Banana leaf fig tree.
Weeping Fig
Scientific name: Ficus benjamina
Common names: Benjamin fig or Ficus tree
Leaves shape: small shiny green leaves that grow in a cluster and make a bushy appearance.
Weeping Fig is also one of the air purification indoor plants.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Scientific name: Ficus lyrata
Common names: Fiddle-leaf Fig, Fiddle-leaf, Banjo Fig, Lyre-leaf Figtree, 琴叶榕, 提琴叶榕
Leaves shape: this plant has a bushy appearance with large deep green leaves that are violin-shaped.
I recommend reading my other post about Fiddle leaf fig problems including:
- Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Turning Brown
- Will Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Grow Back?
- Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Pointing up
- Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Pointing Down
Sycamore Fig
Scientific name: Ficus sycamores
Common names: Fig-mulberry
Leaves shape: the leaves are round-shaped.
You will spot this tree in the outdoors.
Ficus Audrey (Indian Banyan)
Scientific name: Ficus benghalensis
Common names: Ficus Audrey, banyan tree, strangler fig
Leaves shape: it has large dark green velvety leaves with cream veins
African Fig Tree
Scientific name: Ficus cyathistipula
Common names: African Fig Tree
Leaves shape: it has glossy leaves with oblong-shaped
Variegated Rubber Fig
Scientific name: Ficus elastica
Common names: ‘Variegata’ Rubber Tree
Leaves shape: the leaves are deep purple on the burgundy stems.
Clown Fig
Scientific name: Ficus aspera
Common names: Clown Fig
Leaves shape: The large deep green leaves with light green to white patterns on them.
The clown fig is a rare Ficus tree.
Red Leaf Fig
Scientific name: Ficus congesta
Common names: Red Leaf Fig
Leaves shape: the leaves are glossy dark green with red or purple hues.
Common Fig
Scientific name: Ficus carica
Common names: Fig
Leaves shape: its large leaves are lobed-shaped with a leathery texture.
Ficus Daniella
Scientific name: Ficus Moclame
Common names: lollipop tree
Leaves shape: Ficus Danielle is a variety of Ficus benjamina which is bushier and more compact than Ficus benjamina. Its mature leaves are thick, waxy dark green. the new leaves are lime green.
Indian Laurel
Scientific name: Ficus microcarpa
Common names: Malayan Banyan, Jejawi, Curtain Fig, Chinese Banyan, Glossy-leaf Fig, Jawi Jawi, Small-Fruited Fig, Indian Laurel Fig, Laurel Fig, 榕树, 马来亚榕
Leaves shape: the leathery leaves are oval-shaped.
Sandpaper Fig
Scientific name: Ficus coronata
Common names: Sandpaper Fig
Leaves shape: it has large dark green leaves on the top and pale green underneath. The leaves have a rough and sandpapery texture with tiny hairs on the underside.
Retusa Bonsai
Scientific name: Ficus retusa
Common names: Banyan Tree
Leaves shape: its small leaves are dark green.
Council Tree
Scientific name: Ficus altissima
Common names: lofty fig
Leaves shape: It has large deep green leaves arranged on its grey or brown trunk in a council meeting shape. in some varieties, there is a light green edge on leaves.
Moreton Bay Fig
Common names: Moreton Bay Fig, 澳洲大叶榕乳树
Leaves shape: the leaves like a dense canopy are on its massive trunk.
Mistletoe Fig
Scientific name: Ficus deltoidea
Common names: Mistletoe Fig, Mistletoe Rubber Plant, Rusty-leafed Bush Fig, Mas Cotek, Serapat Angin, Telinga Beruk, 金钱榕
Leaves shape: the leaves are simple with smooth margins and leathery textures that are deltoid-shaped and rounded at the apex.
Conclusion
Ficus plants include a lot of species. In this article, we showed you the image of 19 Ficus varieties and species and tried to help you identify Ficus by leaf. Did you identify your Ficus plant? What was its name?
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.