Ficus macrophylla columnaris

[Jonathan]

Ficus macrophylla columnaris from Lord Howe Island is apparently the hardiest Banyan fig in the whole entire universe.

I've got a few plants of the normal F. macrophylla - Morton Bay Fig, which grows well down here....but it would be very cool to have a Banyan!

Does anyone know of a source for seed, or if in Australia for plants?

Are any of you people growing this monster (it likes to sprawl out over a couple of acres - don't we all)?

Cheers,

Jonathan

[fastfeat]

And while we're at it, can someone please clarify the nomenclature of the single-trunked, upright form (usually no prop roots) of F. macrophylla at The Huntington and other locations in SoCal, commonly referred to as "F. columnaris]"? (I realize it is a different tree than this heavily-rooting banyan type to which Jonathan is referring.)

Thanks.

[ariscott]

Lots of Banyan tree here... not sure whether they are the same species you are referring too... I haven't got one yet, as I am not sure whether I want one. Scott does... but then he likes those humongous trees... and we have planted a few so far... I am sure I can find seeds or two for you...

Regards, Ari

[Austinpalm]

I am trying Ficus macrophylla here is Austin. So far it has handled mid to uppers 20's F with no problem. The plant is still very small (maybe 3ft x 3ft) but growing. I assume that I have the banyan form as the plant had 1 or 2 small aerial roots on it when purchased. I have not checked lately to see if they are still present and growing.

[ThunderSRQ]

And while we're at it, can someone please clarify the nomenclature of the single-trunked, upright form (usually no prop roots) of F. macrophylla at The Huntington and other locations in SoCal, commonly referred to as "F. columnaris]"? (I realize it is a different tree than this heavily-rooting banyan type to which Jonathan is referring.)

Thanks.

Here's my favorite -- the magnificent specimen at Selby Gardens here in Sarasota (from what's been said, this must be the columnaris type):

I did seek out this tree after seeing the one at Selby (mine's currently in a 3 gallon pot) -- should I assume if I see aerial roots dropping from my plant's branches that it will not have the elevated (ground-level) roots like the Selby tree or does the "banyan-type" have both prop roots and elevated root sections?

Thanks...

Tim

[mnorell]

According to GRIN, F. m. columnaris is a synonym of F. columnaris. But I agree that the very columnar Ficus with this label at the Huntington look very different from the spreading specimens often pictured as this species. Not sure if that's an environmental difference, but from its name, I would think the spreading individuals might perhaps be standard macrophylla.

The species is pretty hardy as it's found in many areas of California that have experienced decent freezes, but it's good to know it's surviving an Austin winter with no problem. I have a standard macrophylla which I'll put in the ground here next year but would love to find a columnaris to see if it is indeed hardier. Anybody know of sources???

[Gtlevine]

I have a very nice specimen of Columnaris growing in my yard in So Cal. You can tell the difference between Columnaris and Macrophylla because the leaves are two or three times the size. Coumnaris grows much slower as well. I planted both species at the same time and the Moreton Bay is already 25 feet where the Columnaris is about 15 to 20.

Gary

[Jonathan]

According to GRIN, F. m. columnaris is a synonym of F. columnaris. But I agree that the very columnar Ficus with this label at the Huntington look very different from the spreading specimens often pictured as this species. Not sure if that's an environmental difference, but from its name, I would think the spreading individuals might perhaps be standard macrophylla.

The species is pretty hardy as it's found in many areas of California that have experienced decent freezes, but it's good to know it's surviving an Austin winter with no problem. I have a standard macrophylla which I'll put in the ground here next year but would love to find a columnaris to see if it is indeed hardier. Anybody know of sources???

I dont know if F. m. columnaris is any hardier than F. macrophylla, which as everyone has said is a pretty hardy tree - but its hardier than other banyan type Ficus species which are esentially Tropical/Sub tropical.

It seems strange that the Banyan variant would only occur on Lord Howe Island, and not anywhere on mainland Australia.

In fact wikipedia (that failsafe source of all knowledge!) claims that F. macrophylla does in fact grow as a banyan - it is certainly a strangler, so there may be more to this than meets the eye. We need some advice from Queensland maybe?

Ari - I doubt that any of your NT banyan species would survive down here - but thanks for the offer.

Tim - from the photos I've seen columnaris has both prop and buttress roots.

Does anyone know of a seed source yet? I emailed the palm nursery on LHI (I've bought a few palm seedlings from them) but they politely declined....

Cheers,

Jonathan

[mppalms]

I have a couple of seedlings. I'm afraid to see what happens to them. I have a big yard, but it seems, maybe not big enough!

Jason

[Jonathan]

I have a couple of seedlings. I'm afraid to see what happens to them. I have a big yard, but it seems, maybe not big enough!

Jason

Go ahead and plant them young man!

One morning you'll wake up to find that you now share your bed....and your bath...and your dog.....with a fig tree!!

[fastfeat]

I have a very nice specimen of Columnaris growing in my yard in So Cal. You can tell the difference between Columnaris and Macrophylla because the leaves are two or three times the size. Coumnaris grows much slower as well. I planted both species at the same time and the Moreton Bay is already 25 feet where the Columnaris is about 15 to 20.

Gary

Gary--

Any pics?

Where did you get your F. columnaris?