Fiddle Leaf Fig (Vioolblaarvy)

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Vioolblaarvy) #

Ficus lyrata

Ficus lyrata

Quick Info #

  • Distribution & habitat: western and central Africa – tropical regions
  • Family: Moraceae
  • Florescence: -
  • Fruiting: -
  • Leaf habit: evergreen
  • Name origin: “Ficus” means “edible fig” and “lyrata” refers to the lyre-like shape of its leaf
  • Other names: banjo fig

Description #

The fiddle leaf fig tree or shrub is a popular house plant. Indoors, it typically grows slowly and reaches about 3 metres tall. In nature, heights ranging from 8 to 30 metres have been reported. It has a narrow stem and stands upright.

The tree has a glossy, dark-green, large and leathery leaf, reminiscent in shape of a violin. You won’t usually see fruits or flowers when growing indoors, but in nature, small green flowers do appear, and the fruit is a globular fig, red when ripe. The bark is greyish and shallowly cracked. Stems contain a milky sap.

A few different cultivars of Ficus lyrata exist, with some aesthetic and size differences.

Uses & Ecology #

It is commonly used to adorn homes and other indoor spaces. In the tropics, it has been grown as an ornamental shade tree.

Caution: Do not medically use or ingest any plant parts before consulting a qualified health practitioner. Any mentioned traditional uses are based on cultural practices and anecdotal evidence. They are not necessarily clinically proven or supported by modern scientific studies.

References #