Ficus Species?

Misspeled_Name

I'm near 100% sure this is a ficus, But what kind is it? Does anyone have a clue? I think that it is a Ginseng Ficus (Ficus Retusa).

Thanks,
- Misspeled_Name

Attached Images

11,18,05 Ficus.jpg (70.4 KB, 93 views)

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RonMartin(deceased)

Almost looks like a ficus petolarius (sp) Not sure though.

calliemichelle

is it possible for a close up picture of a leaf?

are the new leaves red when they first appear?



Callie

Jerry Meislik

I think also Ficus microcarpa 'Ginseng'.
Jerry

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Whitefish Montana USA
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Misspeled_Name

Thanks for a the replys,

No, they are not red when they first open up. And I will try and get some more photos soon.

- Misspeled_Name

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PatArizona

Is there a definatve name for this very common ficus...?

I've found it called Ficus retusa (aka F microcarpa), Ficus retusa "Ginseng", Banyan Fig, Taiwan Fig, Ginseng Bonsai, and maybe more.

Is it Ficus retusa, formerly F microcarpa?
Or is it Ficus microcarpa, formerly Ficus retusa?
Or are these 2 seperate species?

Then, are "Ginseng", Banyan Fig, and Taiwan Fig the same?

And, finally, native to where? I've found China, Japan, India, China/Japan, and China/Japan/India.

My research, although not exhaustive, indicates that all this is a single species.

Does anybody really know?

May the God of your choice watch over you...

Pat (We are off to California to spend Thanksgiving with our kids and their kids)

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Jerry Meislik

Pat,
This area about Ficus has and will create continuing difficulties. There are two problems involved. One, that every other person gives the same material a different common name. This is the identical problem with all plant material and not specific to Ficus. Two, growing Ficus fromeven one fig full of seed results in loads of varied looking plants that are all related and technically of the same genus and species but have a slight variation in their appearance,perhaps a whiter bark, a thicker or a longer leaf etc.
My underatanding is that Ficus microcarpa is the real scientific name for all the plants mentioned. Under this heading come varieties of microcarpa, Ginseng, Green Island, Ficus retusa, and Taiwan Fig. There are even more! Banyan fig I have heard applied to microcarpa, rubiginosa, religiosa, and begalensis to name only a few.
Hope this helps.
Jerry

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Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

agraham

Jerry,

Is the so-called "ginseng" ficus a product of culture or is it geneticly different than other microcarpas?

andy

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Jerry Meislik

Andy,
I do not think it is cultural but a genetic tendency to form very large "carrot-like" roots. Any cutting removed from the mother plant, will in time, produce the thick roots. Then the grower lifts these roots up above the soil and sells them displaying the huge roots as trunks.
Even if the large roots are cut off, new small roots will form but in time these will also swell up and look like carrots.
I have not worked with one of these varieties but I would strongly suspect that the above is the case.
Jerry

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Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/