Ficus aurea, commonly known as the Florida strangler fig, golden fig, or higuerĂ³n, is a tree in the family Moraceae that is native to the U.S. state of Florida, the northern and western Caribbean, southern Mexico and Central America south to Panama. The specific epithet aurea was applied by English botanist Thomas Nuttall who described the species in 1846.
Ficus aurea
Ficus aurea sapling showing elliptic leaf shape at Long Key, Florida
Engraving of Ficus maxima indica after a drawing by Hans Sloane, published 1725, the earliest published illustration of Ficus aurea and the basis of Thomas Miller's Ficus maxima. The unpaired figs in the illustration led to confusion as to the identity of the species described by Miller.
A Florida strangler fig with abundant adventitious roots at Villa Vizcaya, Miami
Ficus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes and hemiepiphytes in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The common fig (F. carica) is a temperate species native to southwest Asia and the Mediterranean region, which has been widely cultivated from ancient times for its fruit, also referred to as figs. The fruit of most other species are also edible though they are usually of only local economic importance or eaten as bushfood. However, they are extremely important food resources for wildlife. Figs are also of considerable cultural importance throughout the tropics, both as objects of worship and for their many practical uses.
Ficus
Aerial roots that may eventually provide structural support
A Ficus carica (common fig)
The stipule of Ficus religiosa. The white stipule contains a new leaf and a new stipule.