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Ficus pumila L.

Family Name:	Moraceae
Synonyms:	Ficus stipulata, Ficus longipedicellata
Common Name:	Creeping Fig, Climbing Fig, Creeping Ficus, Creeping Rubberplant, Ara Jalar, 薜荔

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Bird-Attracting Plant

Shallow Media

Climber

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Climber
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	2.5 m to 4 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width	1.5 m to 2.5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground)
Preferred Climate Zone	Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Temperate

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	Woody vine up to 4 m long with a climbing growth habit or trailing in the absence of vertical support.
Foliage	Egg-shaped leaves are 2-5 cm long on climbing vines,
Fruit	Purple, pear-shaped figs grow up to 5 cm long.

Cultivation

Prune regularly to encourage new growth with smaller leaves, and discourage mature woody, shrub-like growth.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits
Medicinal: Stems and leaves used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as tonic and to treat fever. Leaves used in Japan in beverages to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. A decoction of fruits, stems and leaves are used to treat joint pain due to arthritis, rheumatism and sprains. Fruits said to promote lactation for mothers and cure impotency. Roots used to treat bladder problems and induce urination.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping	It is planted to cover walls and overhead bridges.
Landscape Uses	General, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall
Thematic Landscaping	Rockery / Desert Garden

SGMP Treatment
Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks	Able to cling and grow directly on natural and articial surfaces.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna	Bird-Attracting

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Easy to Grow, Disease / Pest Resistant, Shallow Media, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Maintenance Requirements	Low
Pruning	Prune regulary to restrict growth to desired locations (eg. from windows), encourage new growth with smaller leaves, and discourage aggressive woody growth and fruiting
Diseases	It is generally resistant to diseases.
Pest(s)	Sucking Insects
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting (Semi-Hardwood)
Planting Distance	0

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Leathery, Rough

Prominent Young Flush Colour(s)	Red
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Sessile
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Cordate
Typical Foliar Area	Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Woody
Root Type	Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Size - Remarks	Very small, gathered on inner surface of synconium
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Purple, Red
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Fleshy Fruit , Multiple Syconium (receptacle)

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Master ID	107
Species ID	1403
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.