Ficus pumila

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Creeping Fig

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Moraceae
Genus:	Ficus
Species:	F. pumila

Binomial name

Ficus pumila
L.

Ficus pumila (creeping fig or climbing fig) is a woody evergreen vine that is native to East Asia. As the common names would suggest, it has a creeping habit and is often used as a houseplant. It is hardy and fast growing and requires little in the way of care as long as the soil is not allowed to dry out between waterings. There are several cultivars, including a variegated and crinkled leaf form.

In warmer climates it can be grown outdoors, but it can become invasive and cover landscape features if not contained. It should not be allowed to climb houses or wooden structures, as the woody tendrils can damage buildings.

This plant requires the fig wasp Blastophaga pamila Hill for pollination.

[edit] Varieties

Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang

[edit] Uses

Dried inside out fruit of F. pumila var awkeotsang, ready for use

Other then its use as a decorative plant, the fruit of F. pumila var. awkeotsang is also used in cuisine. In Taiwan, its fruit is turned inside out and dried. The seeds are scraped off and a gel is extracted from their surface with water and allowed to set and form a jelly known is Taiwan is aiyu jelly or aiyuzi (愛玉子).