Classification of Creeping Figs Native to Japan and Their Landscape Use for Covering Walls

Abstract

To Know whether creeping figs native to Japan (Ficus pumila, J. thunbergil and F. oxyphylla) can be used as landscape plants for covering walls, 76 examples of their practical use in Japan were investigated. Examples were distributed in 24 Prefectures south of 36° North latitude and 90% of figs investigated were F. pumila. By total 50% of examples, figs climbed and covered walls made of concrete blocks. Stone walls were also covered by 30% of examples. These results show the possibility that F. pumila has distinctive attribute applicable to use for covering any kinds of walls. The characters to identify these three figs were found out by investigating descriptions of 26 references dealing with those plants. And also specimens collected from spontaneous and planted fig plants were investigated for confirmation of description of the references. Characters are follows: 1. F. pumila and F. thunbergii show heterophylly, but F. oxyphylla does not. 2. Juvenile leaves of F. thunbergii have ca. two lobes but those of F. pumila were entire. 3. F. thunbergii has lots of setae on the back surface of its leaves but others not.