Ficus pumilla

Ficus pumilla
F. repens

Creeping Fig

Family: Moraceae (Fig family)

adapted by Kevin

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The creeping fig (Ficus pumila), a remarkable Asian vine that is commonly cultivated in southern California. There are two distinct types of stem growth: Young, juvenile branches and older, mature branches. The juvenile branches (with smaller leaves) produce aerial roots that adhere to concrete, stucco, masonry and even glass windows. Without pruning, a single plant can envelop a four-story building. The aerial roots secrete a clear, gummy latex that works like rubber cement. This remarkable adhesive was first described in detail by Charles Darwin in his book The Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants (1876). Older, mature branches with larger leaves produce fleshy, flower-bearing syconia. In fact, this species has been crossed with the edible fig ( F. carica ) to produce a hybrid vine ( F. x pumila-carica ) with edible syconia.

Evergreen vine. Native to China, Japan, Australia.