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Ficus pumila

Common Name: climbing fig

Family: Moraceae

Common Synonyms: Ficus hispida, Ficus heterophylla, Ficus repens

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a-11

Growth Habit: Forb/Herb, Vine

Origin: China, Japan, Taiwan

FISC Category: -

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: Earliest Florida specimen available vouchered in 1958

IFAS Assessment:

  • North: HIGH INVASION RISK
  • Central: HIGH INVASION RISK
  • South: HIGH INVASION RISK
Ficus pumila
Michelle M. Smith
Ficus pumila
Michelle M. Smith

Description

Ficus pumila is a spreading, mat forming vine with simple, alternate leaves.

Habitat

Disturbed areas, capable of growing on a wide range of soil types and pH values

Comments

Most often found vining on vertical surfaces. Can create dense monoculture groundcover.

Map of species distribution

Control Methods

  • Manual: NA
  • Chemical: Foliar (3% glyphosate). [Bugwood: https://wiki.bugwood.org/Ficus_pumila]
  • Biological: NA

Control Notes

Very difficult to control completely.

References

Brown, Stephen H. Ficus: Trees and Vine of Florida. http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/GardenPubsAZ/Ficus_Trees.pdf. Accessed June 13, 2017.

Dave's Garden. PlantFiles: creeping fig, Ficus pumila. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2029/#b. Accessed June 13, 2017.

CABI. Data Sheets: Ficus pumila. http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/24162. Accessed June 13, 2017.

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