Ficus deltoidea

Mistletoe Fig Tree

 

Conestoga House & Gardens, 1608 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster PA

 

David Kantner

 

Native to Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Java, Borneo), this is the only ficus that will produce fruit indoors. Male and female plants are physically distinctive, with the leaves of females being more oval. The Conestoga specimen ap- pears female.

 

This amazing species has supported — through its leaves, fruits, stems and roots — traditional medicinal treat- ments for diabetes, postpartum de- pression, menstrual cycle regulation, high blood pressure, and as an aphro- disiac for women as well as men. Some but not all of these uses have been supported by scientific research.