Florida Strangler Fig
Ficus aurea
Forest Starr and Kim Starr
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Moraceae
- Genus:
- Ficus
- Species:
- Ficus aurea
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree , Vine
- Height:
- More than 40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug
- Bloom Colors:
- Red, Yellow
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Florida
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cherrystone Leafroller Moth (Tortyra slossonia), Hemerophila dyari, Marpesia sp., ruddy daggerwing (Marpesia petreus)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- often found in tropical hammocks and swamps