Family: Moraceae
Ficus celebensis, commonly known as the willow-leaved fig, is a tropical fig species native to Sulawesi, Indonesia. This attractive ornamental tree is valued for its graceful, narrow leaves and dense, glossy green canopy that provides ample shade. It is often used as a landscape or indoor plant in tropical and subtropical regions, where it grows quickly and can reach substantial size if left unpruned. Like other Ficus species, it develops aerial roots and a spreading crown, adding to its appeal as a specimen tree.
In Hawaiʻi, Ficus celebensis is occasionally planted in gardens and public landscapes, but there is limited information on its behavior outside cultivation. While it has not been reported as invasive in the islands, other Ficus species have become problematic where their specialized pollinating wasps are present. Should its pollinator become established in Hawaiʻi, this species could potentially produce viable seed and spread beyond cultivation. For now, it should be planted with caution, and care should be taken to prevent escape or propagation in natural areas.
High Risk Traits:
- Suited to tropical/subtropical climates
- Intentionally dispersed by humans
- Bird-dispersed seeds (where pollinators are present}
- Tolerates various soil conditions
- Shade tolerant
Low Risk Traits:
- Not naturalized outside native range
- No history of weediness
- No spines, thorns, or toxins
- Requires specific pollinator (fig wasp)
- Doesn't form dense thickets
- No vegetative spread
- Low/absent seed production (without pollinator present)
