About Ficus lyrata Warb.
Ficus lyrata Warb. is an evergreen tree or shrub, native to tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa, and it is one of the most demanding and showy species in the Ficus genus. When grown outdoors, it can reach a height of 9–12 m (30–39 ft). Its leaves vary in shape, but they typically have a wide apex and narrow middle that resembles a lyre or fiddle. Leaves can grow up to 45 cm (18 in) long and 30 cm (12 in) wide, though they are usually smaller; they have a leathery texture, prominent veins, and a wavy margin. Its fruit is a green fig with a diameter of 2.5–3 cm (1.0–1.2 in). In its native range, F. lyrata occurs naturally in Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo, where it grows in moist lowland forests. It has also been introduced to the Canary Islands, El Salvador, and Trinidad and Tobago. F. lyrata is widely cultivated outdoors in tropical regions, and is also grown as a decorative indoor plant in Europe and North America. It is a popular ornamental tree for subtropical and tropical gardens, and grown as a houseplant in temperate regions, where it usually remains shorter and does not produce flowers or fruit. It grows best in bright, indirect light, and can tolerate some direct sunlight. It can survive minimum temperatures down to 10 °C (50 °F), so plants can be placed outdoors during warm periods.
