Everybody Should Grow These
When I first started to research this plant, I thought it was some kind of fern.
There's a batch of them, covering part of the rock garden behind my office.
This close-up photo may be a bit misleading. I should have stuck my thumb in there.
Five or six, of those tiny leaves, wouldn't cover a thumbnail. Hence, I figured they were ferns.
Walking around with a Canon G12, I spotted these, growing on a cement block wall.
Just going to grab some lunch, I decided to see how many of these plants, I could find.
The leaves, are unmistakeable. Little, bumpy, heart-shaped things, I'd know anywhere.
They grow in places you'd never believe a plant could exist.
It looks like, as long as they get light and moisture, they can grow on any surface.
That rusted shutter door probably, hasn't been opened for at least a few months.
Here's an example of the vines, climbing up a tree trunk and, they'll reach the top, I bet.
Notice how the vines thicken as the plant matures.
Who Would Have Guessed ?
These climbing vines, make figs !
A few of the above photos, were sent to a Facebook Group for identification.
It's called "Determinatie van planten en dieren" whatever that means.
See, I don't speak Dutch but, they understand English and got me a scientific name.
Within a few hours, two members responded, "Ficus pumila."
Once I had a Latin name, the research was easy and, I learned plenty about this climber.
In the lower right corner, are some baby leaves on the vine.
Centered, is what the mature leaves look like and, one of the fruits this plant produces.
The fruit was liberated from somebody's plant and, brought to my territory.
It was for a instructional purposes (higher education, let's say) so, that's not stealing.
The fruit makes a tasty jelly, according to Eat the Weeds.
Cover your house with it if, you can't afford ivy to hide the walls from graffiti artists.
Okinawans use it to treat high blood pressure and diabetes.
It's Fun Researching Plants
With a scientific, botanical or Latin nomenclature you can learn tons of good things.
Over at Philippine Medicinal Plants, I came up with valuable information.
In China, they use the leaves of this plant for treating painful or swollen piles.
That's why I recommend "Everybody, grow this Climbing Fig."
Get some planted on the rocks behind your house, before the next family gathering.
When one of those relatives starts complaining about their rear end problems...
TELL THEM TO GO OUT, DROP THEIR DRAWERS AND SIT ON THAT ROCK !
