BENJAMIN FIG / WARINGIN (Ficus Benjamina)
One of the most common strangler in Singapore, the Benjamin Fig or Waringin is recognized by it’s fine leaved crown with drooping branches and the rarity or absence of hanging aerial roots. The thin small leaves have a long tip. This species bears up to five crops of small figs a year. After the newly emerged wasps have departed and the seeds are fully developed, the figs ripened to a dark purplish color. The waringin is probably Singapore’s premier bird tree: a large fruiting waringin is heard before it is seen. It attracts large flocks of green pigeons as well as bulbuls, starlings, orioles and other frugivores. At night, the birds are replaced by fruit bats. The word Benjamin in its Latin name is actually derived from the Sanskrit word of Banij meaning "banyan".
Do you know... it was an early Malayan custom to plant two Waringin tree in from of a royal residence.
Do you know... it was an early Malayan custom to plant two Waringin tree in from of a royal residence.