F. religiosa F. lutea
F. microcarpa Ficus species
Fig, higuera
Widely planted tropical trees, shrubs or vines. Most are extremely easy to grow here and quickly make large trees but a moderate freeze can kill back branches on the more tender species and a severe prolonged frost will kill all the tree species way back, usually to the ground. This makes removal of dead wood difficult. Some of the more commonly seen species here are: F. benghalensis (banyan), a large tree with aerial roots which is rather tender but recovers, F. lutea (F. nekbudu, Zulu fig), a species with large leaves and good ability to recover from frost, F. microcarpa (F. nitida, Indian laurel), a dense tree with some cold tolerance and consider-
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