Description of Ficus Nitida

Hardiness Zones & Distribution

• Ficus nitida likes the hot climate conditions of USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 and is primarily grown in the states of Hawaii, Arizona, Florida and California. In the continental U.S., gardeners plant it primarily for landscaping or specimen purposes, but in Hawaii it's considered an invasive weed. Since it is a shade tree, you'll often find it planted near street dividers and parking lots as well.

Size & Shape

• This tree grows up to 60 feet tall and just about as wide. The dense foliage of the tree forms a globe-shaped canopy, sometimes spreading a little wider than its height as it grows.

Foliage

• The thick, glossy leaves of Indian laurel fig measure 2 to 5 inches long. Each dark-green leaf tapers at the end and comes in an oval shape. All the leaves combined create a thick canopy or crown that doesn't allow for any other plant to grow under the tree.

Bark

• The bark is thin, smooth and gray or grayish-white, although red spots and horizontal flecks can sometimes be seen as well. Long, upright branches support the many thick leaves that make up the crown of the tree.

Flowers & Fruit

• Both the flowers and fruit are small and inconspicuous. The flowers bloom from mid-spring to summer. The fruit, which is eaten by birds, starts off with a yellowish-green color; then it eventually turns a deep red. A single fig can contain approximately 150 seeds. If the tree is large enough, it can develop 100,000 figs. These seeds are dispersed through bird droppings.