Ficus lyrata

Ficus lyrata
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Moraceae
Genus:	Ficus
Subgenus:	F. subg. Urostigma
Species:	F. lyrata
Binomial name
Ficus lyrata Warb.

Ficus lyrata, commonly known as the fiddle-leaf fig, banjo fig, fiddle-leaved fig tree, lyre leaf fig tree, or lyre-leaved fig tree, is a species of plant in the mulberry and fig family Moraceae. It is native to western Africa, but is cultivated around the world as an ornamental plant. ^{[1] [2]} It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. ^[3]

Description

Ficus lyrata is an evergreen tree or shrub, native to West and Central Africa tropical rain forest, and is one of the most demanding and showy Ficus species. Outdoors, it can grow 9–12 m (30–39 ft) tall. ^[4]

The leaves are variable in shape, but often with a broad apex and narrow middle, resembling a lyre or fiddle; they are up to 45 cm (18 in) long and 30 cm (12 in) broad (though usually smaller) with a leathery texture, prominent veins and a wavy margin.

The fruit is a green fig 2.5–3 cm (1.0–1.2 in) diameter.

Distribution and habitat

F. lyrata is native to Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo, where it occurs in moist lowland forests. It also occurs as an introduced species in the Canary Islands, El Salvador, and Trinidad and Tobago. ^{[1] [5]}

• 
  Ficus lyrata leaves are lyrate, meaning that they resemble a lyre.
• 
  The fruit is a green fig.

Cultivation

It is widely grown outdoors in tropical regions, and also as a decorative species indoors in Europe and North America. It is a popular ornamental tree in subtropical and tropical gardens, and is also grown as a houseplant in temperate areas, where it usually stays shorter and fails to flower or fruit. It requires direct natural light. It is hardy down to 10 °C (50 °F), so specimens may be placed outside during warm periods. ^[6]

Propagation

Ficus lyrata can be propagated by division, stem cuttings, or air layering. ^[4]

See also

• List of lyrate plants

References

1. IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group & Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) (2022). "Ficus lyrata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022: e.T208115167A208354564. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T208115167A208354564.en . Retrieved 19 January 2024.
2. Ficus lyrata (Report). 7 January 2022. doi: 10.1079/cabicompendium.24125 .
3. "Ornamental AGM Plants April 2023" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. April 2023. p. 46. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
4. Bercu, Rodica (2015). "ANATOMICAL ASPECTS OF FICUS LYRATA WARB. (MORACEAE) LEAF" (PDF). Annals of West University of Timisoara: Series of Biology. 18 (2): 107–114. ProQuest   1751976433.
5. "Ficus lyrata Warb". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 19 January 2024.
6. "Ficus lyrata (Banjo fig, Fiddle-leaf Fig) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 22 June 2025.

External links

• Figweb: Ficus lyrata
• Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Ficus lyrata". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.