Question 1

What is Ficus microcarpa used for in ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lanka's ayurvedic tradition, the bark, leaves, aerial roots, and latex of Ficus microcarpa are used in preparations associated with inflammatory conditions, skin disorders, joint pain, and gastrointestinal complaints. It is catalogued as an official ayurvedic medicinal plant by Sri Lankan authorities. Anyone seeking treatment should consult a qualified ayurvedic practitioner rather than self-medicating.

Question 2

Is Ficus microcarpa native to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Ficus microcarpa is native to a wide region spanning South Asia, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia, so Sri Lanka falls within its natural range. On the island it grows naturally in secondary forests, along riverbanks, and in village gardens, and it has also been widely planted as an ornamental and shade tree.

Question 3

Why is Ficus microcarpa popular as a bonsai?

Accepted Answer

The species is prized in bonsai cultivation because it tolerates indoor light conditions, grows vigorously, and develops striking aerial roots that give mature specimens a dramatic, naturalistic appearance. It responds well to pruning and can be maintained in a range of classical bonsai styles, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced growers.

Question 4

What does Ficus microcarpa look like?

Accepted Answer

It is an evergreen tree with smooth, pale grey bark and glossy, dark green oval leaves with a characteristic pointed tip. Mature wild trees can develop numerous aerial roots that descend from branches and thicken into secondary trunks, sometimes giving a single tree the appearance of a small grove. The fruit is a small fig, typically under a centimetre in diameter, ripening from green to reddish-purple.

Question 5

Where in Sri Lanka can I find Ficus microcarpa?

Accepted Answer

The tree is widespread in Sri Lanka's low-country and intermediate zones, from coastal areas up to around 1,000 metres elevation. Large, old specimens are commonly found in temple grounds and along village roads in the Central and North Central Provinces. It also appears frequently in hotel gardens and urban plantings across the island.

Question 6

Is Ficus microcarpa the same as Ficus retusa?

Accepted Answer

There is considerable historical confusion between Ficus microcarpa and Ficus retusa in botanical literature, and the two names have often been used interchangeably in horticulture. Modern taxonomic consensus generally treats them as distinct species, with Ficus microcarpa being the more widespread and commonly cultivated of the two.

Question 7

What wildlife does Ficus microcarpa support?

Accepted Answer

Like other fig species, Ficus microcarpa is a keystone food plant: its small figs ripen in a staggered pattern that provides a reliable food source for birds, fruit bats, and small mammals even when other fruits are scarce. This makes fig trees disproportionately important for maintaining biodiversity in forests and garden ecosystems alike.