SHADE TREES, Continued 
F. infectoria. Tropical. India. Rather more adapted 
to lawn planting than the other types of Ficus 
the infectoria has medium sized light green leaves 
which are rather pinkish on the tips of the new 
growth. It forms a large spreading tree with a 
beautiful light colored trunk which makes it one 
of the more interesting and unusual types. The 
leaves are rather small for a Ficus and quite thin 
in texture. Unlike the other types it sheds its 
leaves in late spring and is bare for a space of 
about two weeks when the foliage is renewed. 
During the late summer the branches are covered 
with small “figs” which drop when about the size 
of a pea. 
F. macrophylla. Moreton Bay Fig Tree. Tropical. 
Australia. Rather hardier than most of the 
species, the macrophylla has large foliage very 
similar to the elastica but thinner and lighter 
green and more tapering. In general growth it is 
upright, and makes a very handsome specimen 
that can be recommended for street and lawn 
planting. Unfortunately it has been very little 
used and deserves wider recognition on account 
of its hardiness. 
F. nitida (F. retusa). Indian Laurel. Tropical. 
Southeastern Asia. This tree has been very popu¬ 
lar on the East Coast and warmer section of the 
state as a street tree because of its upright habit 
of growth, compact head of foliage and the fact 
that it withstands severe wind. The small laurel¬ 
like leaves are dark green, glossy and form a 
dense mass. In shape it is rather tall, upright in 
growth, and pyramidal. The new foliage is rather 
light in color forming a pleasing contrast to the 
older darker green leaves. Of late this tree has 
not proven quite so satisfactory because of a 
thrip that attacks the new foliage in the spring; 
but recently a thrip-proof variety has been intro¬ 
duced which does away with this trouble, and 
which is almost identical in appearance and habit 
to the older and better known type. 
F. pandurata. Banjo Fig. Tropical. Seldom seen 
as an outdoor subject this is one of the most 
striking for pot or tub culture, and due to its 
slow growth it is to be highly recommended for 
this purpose. The leaves are extremely large and 
long with a general appearance somewhat like 
the back of a “fiddle”. As it stands house culture 
well and is very unusual and tropical in appear¬ 
ance it can be used with splendid effect in patio 
work. It grows rather slowly when planted out of 
doors but will eventually make a handsome 
rounded top tree. 
F. religiosa. Peepul or Sacred Bo-Tree of India. 
Tropical. Of special interest to the followers of 
Buddha, this beautiful Ficus is a valuable lawn 
and street tree and in protected areas it will fnake 
a very handsome subject. The long petioled 
leaves are rather thin, light green, and heart- 
shaped with a tapering tail-like appendage. Quite 
free of aerial roots and with a strong smooth 
trunk it makes a beautiful avenue or street tree. 
Sacred to the Buddhists, it is used as a Temple 
tree in India, and probably the world’s oldest 
transplanted tree is one of this species still grow¬ 
ing in Ceylon, brought there from India in 288 
B. C. At one time an astringent used in treating 
diseased gums was made from the bark. 
F. rubiginosa. Rusty Fig. Tropical. Australia. A 
rather compact tree of medium size with small 
leaves which are dark rich green above and 
brownish underneath. It is quite useful as a 
trimmed subject, or as a large shrub, and may 
be made into perfectly rounded specimens with 
very little trouble. If not trimmed it will make 
a rather low shrubby tree. 
F. “Thrip-proof” P. I. 80-569. Tropical. This is a 
form introduced recently which resembles in gen¬ 
eral the F. benjamina but is resistant to damage 
from thrip. 
F. utilis. Tropical. East Africa. A medium sized and 
single trunked species with very large and long 
leaves beautifully veined with white. In habit of 
growth it is round topped and spreading with 
rather rough dark brown bark. While it is little 
used at present it is a splendid subject for lawn 
or street planting as it is not so inclined to spread 
out from the roots as are the other types. 
FLACOURTIA [30] Ramontchi. Governors Plum. 
Tropical. Madagascar. A small to medium sized 
tree with rounded shining leaves, the Flacourtia 
makes a handsome specimen and is very satis¬ 
factory where a mound of green foliage is de¬ 
sired. Usually referred to as a fruit, so few of the 
seedlings are of the fruiting type that it is really 
more practical as an ornamental. The fruit, how¬ 
ever, is edible and resembles a handsome dark 
red plum with a pleasant rather sweet flavor. 
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