Council Tree

Ficus altissima Blume

FIE-cuss al-TISS-ah-ma

Moraceae

Explanation of name: The generic name is an ancient name for figs (BA1). Altissima means very tall.

Natural range: Tropical Asia

Recognition: Similar to Banyan but with the leaves glabrous beneath. This species has the lowest vein pair on the leaf broadly oblique with the other veins parallel to each other (BA1).

Landscape uses: Enormous spreading tree. Invasive exotic, listed as Category II by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.