Family: Moraceae

Ficus microcarpa (Chinese banyan) is a large branching tree with hanging adventitious roots that can root and form columnar stems that can eventually merge with the trunk. It is native to from Ceylon to India, southern China, Ryukyu Islands, Australia, and New Caledonia, and has been cultivated in tropical regions around the world. After its pollinating wasp was introduced in 1938, it was able to be spread by birds and is now naturalized on all main Hawaiian Islands. Chinese banyan is epiphytic and can germinate in the crotches of other trees, send roots to the ground, and eventually strangle the host, including native and non-native trees. It has also become a landscaping nuisance and weed, and its roots can damage sidewalks, buildings, rain gutters, culverts, bridges, and archaeological sites.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives and spreads in regions with tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on all main Hawaiian Islands, as well as Midway and French Frigate Shoals, as well as elsewhere in the world.
  
• A landscaping and urban weed, with roots capable of spreading into and damaging walls, roofs and gutters of buildings, sidewalks, and other structures.
  
• An environmental weed in the Hawaiian Islands, capable of establishing in and strangling native host trees
  
• Other Ficus species are invasive weeds
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Epiphytic, strangling growth habit
  
• Capable of forming dense stands with its hanging aerial roots
  
• Reproduces by seeds (now that the pollinating wasp has been introduced)
  
• Seeds are dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals, secondarily by ants and through intentional cultivation.
  
• Capable of prolific seed production (>1000/m2)
  
• Tolerates and regrows after pruning or mechanical damage

Low Risk Traits:

• Frequent pruning of Ficus microcarpa var. crassifolia (Wax ficus) to maintain as a low ground cover, hedge or for bonsai may prevent fruiting and spread.
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable foliage (leaves used as fodder in some countries)
  
• Grows best in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread)
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control